Thesaurus

ungovernable

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of ungovernable

1 given to resisting authority or another's control

A handful of ungovernable students are disrupting the learning environment for everyone else.

Synonyms of ungovernable

balky, contrary, contumacious, defiant, disobedient, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, refractory, restive, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)

Words Related to ungovernable

noncooperative, uncooperative

insurgent, mutinous

adamant, adamantine, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding

fractious, restive, uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild

perverse, resistant, wrongheaded

bad, disorderly, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, naughty

discourteous, disrespectful, ill-bred, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impertinent, impolite, impudent, inconsiderate, insolent, ornery, rude, uncivil, uncouth, ungracious, unmannerly

Near Antonyms of ungovernable

acquiescent, agreeable, amiable, cooperative, deferential, obliging

behaved, disciplined, well-bred

courteous, polite, respectful

kowtowing, obsequious, servile, slavish, subservient

decorous, mannerly, orderly, proper

controllable, governable, manageable, trainable

Antonyms of ungovernable

amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, obedient, ruly, submissive, tractable

2 given to resisting control or discipline by others

I'm resigned to the fact that my cat is basically an ungovernable beast with a will of his own.

Synonyms of ungovernable

froward, headstrong, incontrollable, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, uncontrollable, unmanageable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)

Words Related to ungovernable

bullheaded, contrary, difficult, hardheaded, incorrigible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, perverse, pigheaded, self-willed, stiff, stiff-necked, stubborn

undisciplined, unpunished

uncontrolled, wild

boisterous, irrepressible, rambunctious, rowdy

disobedient, insubordinate, rebellious

Phrases Synonymous with ungovernable

out of hand

Near Antonyms of ungovernable

docile, obedient, well-behaved

compliant, placable, pliable, submissive, yielding

accepting, persuadable, receptive, responsive, willing

reasonable, temperate, trainable

Antonyms of ungovernable

controllable, governable, manageable, tractable

Synonym Discussion of ungovernable

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

Learn More about ungovernable

Dictionary: Definition of ungovernable Spanish Central: Translation of ungovernable

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ungovernable? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

jabberwocky

play

meaningless speech or writing

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games