UNGOVERNABLE Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ungovernable

adjective

ˌən-ˈgə-vər-nə-bəl

Definition of ungovernable

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 The vampiric Goldman Sachs that Taibbi describes is an institution, a system that became too big to fail, and thus ungovernable. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026 And her circumstances were a perfect storm of absence, workaholism and her mother's own ungovernable appetite for anyone who wasn't Stevie. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 It is often called ungovernable, perhaps a little grandly. — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 Unfortunately, The Baltimore Sun, a once-great regional institution, has been hijacked by the same right-wing media that has been making America increasingly ungovernable for decades. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ungovernable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable

Adjective

The collection’s attempt at provocation was perhaps best illustrated by a top with underboob exposure that seemed intended to signal a rebellious edge but came across as little more than an ill-fitting garment in search of a point of view.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Now, Pugh has entered the chat with the most rebellious version yet.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

Elementary school students may have tantrums, be clingy, have toileting accidents, engage in uncontrollable crying or become less talkative as a result of changes in schools, homes and caregivers.

— Nikki R Wooten, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
DeStefano kicked into a quasi-rock groove on acoustic guitar, and the guys launched into a chorus about shaking off uncontrollable hassles and restoring positivity.

— Tom Roland, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncontrollable

Adjective

Quarterback Jim McMahon wore a headband and adopted a rebel stance while Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton led a powerful attack.

— Ira Kaufman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebel

Adjective

Without the right architecture, cloud and connectivity costs could become unmanageable, limiting the benefits of the AI era.

— David Kelly, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Pawlikowski’s mother and father, also named Zula and Wiktor, whose unmanageable love had kept them tangled and disentangled for decades, took their own lives in 1989, as the Cold War that had cast its chill upon their time was beginning to thaw.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of unmanageable

Adjective

In Massachusetts and Maine, that approval is also contingent on the federal government finding a long-term solution to the seemingly intractable problem of storing radioactive nuclear waste.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Maybe that’s because these challenging and seemingly intractable problems are usually treated as separate crises requiring separate solutions.

— Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of intractable

Adjective

Earlier, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller suggested that more interest rate rises may be needed to tackle stubborn inflation, which has stayed above the Fed's 2% target for more than five years.

— Hugh Leask,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
The apparent disconnect between a recovery in oil supply and stubborn fuel prices has drawn attention from analysts.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

Bakker’s boyhood experience of the wild, unruly Pentecostal God might have matured into a due humility, a dumbstruck awe and a sense of wonder.

— David Von Drehle, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
To the broadcast crews, the fans were guilty until proven innocent, helping perpetuate the unfounded label that Fever fans were hateful, unruly and even discriminatory.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of unruly

Browse Nearby Words

ungodly

ungovernable

ungraceful

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“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ungovernable

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