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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ungovernable
The result is a massively flawed information market and an increasingly ungovernable world.
—
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
In California, the shift toward ungovernable fires in populated places has been under way for several years.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
The colonial government’s fear of ungovernable Black people still lingered, however.
—Sasha C. Wells / Made By History, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
In its editorial, Automotive News said Stellantis might be ungovernable but was certainly in need of a major overhaul.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ungovernable
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
In California, the shift toward ungovernable fires in populated places has been under way for several years.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
The colonial government’s fear of ungovernable Black people still lingered, however.
—Sasha C. Wells / Made By History, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
In its editorial, Automotive News said Stellantis might be ungovernable but was certainly in need of a major overhaul.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ungovernable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable
Adjective
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From the start, Handy argues, the on-screen adventures in teen movies have been targeted to a double audience of rebellious teens and anxious adults.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2025
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In addition to provoking rebellious and impulsive actions, this unpredictable synergy can abruptly derail plans.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Commenters had a lot to say, and many of them highlighted an often uncontrollable difference between generations: financial insecurity.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
26 June 2025
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In both cases, the objective was to signal strength while minimizing the chance of escalation into uncontrollable conflict.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Serena became an integral part of the rebel movement to destroy Gilead.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
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But on Friday, the beer maker said the situation had deteriorated further, and that armed personnel had taken control of its facilities in Bukavu and Goma - eastern Congo’s two biggest cities, now under rebel control - and nearby areas.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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The sateen shell kept cool, and the weight and thickness of this insert were ideal and not too unwieldy, too fluffy or unmanageable.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
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In fact, 43% of employees attribute burnout to an unmanageable workload, while 37% point to insufficient resources, and nearly 35% cite toxic workplace culture as a root cause.—
Lisa Bodell,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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That’s what makes their fourth studio album, Lucius, almost defiant in its return to form.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
11 June 2025
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Asked about his potential exit at the weekend while on international duty for Germany, Ter Stegen was defiant.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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All of which can be employed by Musk or anyone else using AI to target us with false political advertising tailored to our most stubborn biases, further dividing us, manipulating elections and solidifying what has already become a fascist state.—
Sal Recchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2025
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Then Curry, rattled by the monumental reverb of Kyrie’s shot, hurried into a stubborn approach on the ensuing possession, missed a desperate 3 over Kevin Love, who used his length and a rare display of defensive intensity to deny Curry a good look.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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To bring this seemingly intractable fight to an end would require a solution that serves both sides’ interests, producing the affordable housing our city needs and saving this open space neighbors love.—
Randy Mastro,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
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Growing up in close proximity to Los Angeles’s storied music venues was another intractable part of their youth.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, during season 3's second major game — jump rope — another two main characters are killed: Jun-hee and Nam-gyu (Roh Jae-won), or Player 124, who initially competed in the games alongside season 2's Thanos (T.O.P.) and proved to be an unruly player.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
People.com,
27 June 2025
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But her unruly secrets reflect the uncomfortable truths that are so often hidden in our own histories.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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