1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
a handful of ungovernable students are disrupting the learning environment for everyone else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uncontrollable
given to resisting control or discipline by others
resigned to the fact that my cat is basically is an ungovernable beast with a will of his own
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Narrative has a seemingly relentless, ungovernable momentum, but humans retain a control over war stories that does not extend to war itself.
—
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
For more than a century, people have wondered if the city is ungovernable; with the exception of Fiorello La Guardia, who had New Deal money raining down on him, every idealistic leader who has been elected mayor has left City Hall in some way battered by it.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The gamble backfired and his centrist bloc lost seats to the far right and far left, leaving France with a divided National Assembly and effectively ungovernable.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the ocean itself plays its ungovernable part.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ungovernable
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
For more than a century, people have wondered if the city is ungovernable; with the exception of Fiorello La Guardia, who had New Deal money raining down on him, every idealistic leader who has been elected mayor has left City Hall in some way battered by it.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The gamble backfired and his centrist bloc lost seats to the far right and far left, leaving France with a divided National Assembly and effectively ungovernable.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, the ocean itself plays its ungovernable part.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ungovernable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable
Adjective
-
No surprise, then, that so much of their work is fearlessly modern, whether outspoken and rebellious or confessional and erotic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
-
But Amy Madigan, who seemed like the rebellious, out-of-the-box pick for critics groups, made it into the hypercompetitive supporting actress category.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some researchers question whether addiction is the appropriate term to describe heavy use of social media, arguing that a person must be experiencing identifiable symptoms, like strong, sometimes uncontrollable urges and withdrawal, to qualify as addiction.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
-
An additional hurdle with AZMBs is the uncontrollable side reactions that occur when battery temperature exceeds 140°F (60 °C).—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In December 2002, the MPCI joined forces with two other rebel factions to form the New Forces of Ivory Coast (FNCI).—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Two men are targeted by the rebel army who overthrew the government of Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Millions of Americans are drowning in unmanageable debt, after all, and filing for bankruptcy protection can feel like the only available lifeline in many cases.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Early legal intervention can help families remain involved and guide decisions before situations become unmanageable.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For the time being, Cuban leaders appeared unified and defiant in public.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Though the stakes are much, much higher than the average father-daughter argument, the scene between Zeus and Thalia also plays out like one that ends with a defiant teenager sent to their room.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Experts warn that the stubborn metric has long-term implications for learning.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Wait 10 minutes before washing for milder stains or up to a week for more severe or stubborn stains.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The board also charged Page with unprofessional and unethical conduct by committing disruptive behavior through a pattern of contentious, threatening, or intractable behavior that could interfere with patient care or the effective functioning of health care staff.—
Clark Kauffman,
Des Moines Register,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Both parties have once again dug into seemingly intractable positions.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Kansas City records show that complaints about an unruly neighbor, Jeffrey Traviss King, began flowing in eight years ago, escalating over the last 11 months until this week’s fatal dispute.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The lights are back on at the Muppet Theatre, and Kermit the Frog is ready to wrangle Miss Piggy and the rest of his unruly ensemble for a brand-new special.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
