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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ungovernable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ungovernable are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, unruly, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," 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

When could headstrong be used to replace ungovernable?

The words headstrong and ungovernable can be used in similar contexts, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When can intractable be used instead of ungovernable?

The meanings of intractable and ungovernable largely overlap; however, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

In what contexts can recalcitrant take the place of ungovernable?

The words recalcitrant and ungovernable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

When is refractory a more appropriate choice than ungovernable?

In some situations, the words refractory and ungovernable are roughly equivalent. However, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When is it sensible to use unruly instead of ungovernable?

Although the words unruly and ungovernable have much in common, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

When would willful be a good substitute for ungovernable?

While in some cases nearly identical to ungovernable, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ungovernable Additionally, both the SAF and RSF are moving away from land battles and instead seek to destabilize their rivals’ territory with air or drone strikes, making the country as a whole increasingly ungovernable. Mai Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 30 Apr. 2025 Gleichschaltung brings the unconscious—the self’s most ungovernable part—into line, and in doing so empties the individual of creativity, vitality, and, most importantly, resistance. Zoe Roth april 30, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2025 But that was Kilmer, unpredictable, ungovernable, never boring. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The result is a massively flawed information market and an increasingly ungovernable world. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ungovernable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable
Adjective
  • But the couple have yet to conceive an heir, so when Jerome absconds and his dashing friend Manfred (Galitzine) arrives with dastardly intentions, Hero (Corrin), Cherry’s wily and loyal maid, is forced to concoct a plan to distract Manfred by telling captivating stories about rebellious women.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
  • With her King Kylie persona, Jenner showed off more rebellious, edgy and experimental looks, including blue hair.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s curious, then, is not Trump’s eagerness to degrade us, but his uncontrollable urge to defile himself and his office.
    Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • When he was hired, Hazimeh told supervisors he had been diagnosed with anxiety, resulting in an uncontrollable nervous tic.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 64-year-old actor famously portrays rebel leader Morpheus, captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in the hit sci-fi action film franchise.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The palace officials assured them the president was there, hashing out a plan with his military and Russian and Iranian advisers to confront the advancing rebel forces.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This resulted in persistent, runaway inflation and unmanageable national debt.
    Jim Nowlan, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Just six months later, in June, the museum closed its doors for a day as workers there went on strike, complaining of unmanageable crowds, understaffing and poor working conditions in a building unable to handle its current popularity.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On Monday afternoon, Petro remained defiant.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
  • This Irish American neighborhood is famous for its quirky upside-down traffic light, where green proudly sits above red—a symbol of its defiant community spirit.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Month over month, that would be the same stubborn pace that has persisted for more than two years.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Results show that microbial iron mining can immobilize toxic metals and convert stubborn pollutants into less harmful compounds.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The seemingly intractable situation has resulted in one of the longest shutdowns in American history.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Prisons hide away many of society’s most intractable problems—violence, mental illness, addiction—but the officers who work inside spend their days face to face with them.
    Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Reports of unruly visitor behavior have sparked public complaints and a rise in anti-foreigner sentiment that right-wing politicians have been quick to capitalize on.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Owensboro news media and some white onlookers insist that when the lady sheriff didn’t show up to act as executioner, there was anger in the press’s unmet expectations, which then was taken out on the crowd, with the reporters lying about the audience’s unruly behavior.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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