unruly

adjective

un·​ruly ˌən-ˈrü-lē 

unrulier; unruliest

: not readily ruled, disciplined, or managed : difficult to control

an unruly crowd

an unruly passenger

a mane of unruly hair

unruliness noun

Synonyms of unruly

• rebellious
• rebel
• defiant
• stubborn

Choose the Right Synonym for unruly

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control.

unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

ungovernable rage

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Examples of unruly in a Sentence

unruly pupils were given detention as a matter of course

a camp that was known as a place where unruly youths were given their last chance to shape up

Recent Examples on the Web

Just like that, the whole family's back together, and the unruly antics that made Malcolm in the Middle a classic are back in full force. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026

The latter were necessary in an environment where locals policed themselves and tried to keep unruly teenage energy from boiling over into violence. —Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026

An influential hurricane forecast brought a mixed bag of news on Thursday, April 9, as forecasters grappled with unruly climate patterns heading into the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

Despite five unruly boys (and counting) making their lives hell in Malcolm in the Middle, Hal and Lois are still together 20 years after the show’s finale. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English unreuly, from un- + reuly disciplined, from reule rule

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unruly

• bernoulli
• lazuli
• unduly
• cooley
• coolly
• cooly
• coulee
• cruelly
• duly
• hooley
• muley
• newly

Kids Definition

unruly

adjective

un·​ruly ˌən-ˈrü-lē 

ˈən-

unrulier; unruliest

: not yielding easily to rule or restriction : uncontrollable

an unruly temper

an unruly horse