1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
unruly pupils were given detention as a matter of course
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
a camp that was known as a place where unruly youths were given their last chance to shape up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in anarchical
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
unruly mobs roamed the streets of the capital after the government leaders had fled
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 unruly
Anderson is a rare and rangy breed of cinematic maximalist—a satirical quasi-historian and pop-cultural magpie with a gift for weaving disparate influences into a marvellously unruly synthesis.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, there’s the Fenians, the unruliest of the factions pushing for Irish independence from Great Britain.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
As the physician and philosopher Jodi Halpern has pointed out, Osler believed that a doctor should aspire to be an island of calm in stormy seas, mastering her own unruly emotions with the force of rationality.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unruly
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, there’s the Fenians, the unruliest of the factions pushing for Irish independence from Great Britain.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
As the physician and philosopher Jodi Halpern has pointed out, Osler believed that a doctor should aspire to be an island of calm in stormy seas, mastering her own unruly emotions with the force of rationality.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unruly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unruly
Adjective
-
Do something semi-rebellious in honor of Lane Kim Like dyeing your hair or joining a band!—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Kimmel is once again on the air throughout the country now that rebellious affiliate owners Nexstar and Sinclair have backed down and agreed to resume airing his ABC late-night show after a weeklong standoff.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
These two ingredients mixed together creates a powerful mixture perfect for lifting stubborn stains off grout because of their high cleaning and brightening properties.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Scientists have discovered a cleaner, faster way to recycle one of the world’s most stubborn plastics, not with heat or chemicals, but with sheer mechanical force.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Aside from games like volleyball and dominoes, Gach says some children stage fake ambushes on one another while pretending to be government forces or rebel fighters.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The Security Council has been monitoring a 2016 peace accord between the government and what was then the largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, at the government's request.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Digital exhaustion increased to 84% in 2025 from 75% the prior year, while unmanageable workloads also rose to 77%, per the report.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya
Aisha Ditta,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
-
For many families, those costs are unmanageable, and yet the emotional toll of being far away is even higher.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Soon, the deputy commissioner was asking me about narcissism and criminal thinking.—
Joe Garcia,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
That seems pretty criminal to me.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Erivo will voice Jayne Staplegun, a trailblazing fairy whose defiant streak sparks a rebellion.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
-
What unites these screen works, beyond their focus on LGBTQ individuals, themes and audiences, is their defiant messaging, according to NewFest’s director of programming, Nick McCarthy.—
Elaina Patton,
NBC news,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Like a faulty fire hydrant, or a vacuum cleaner whizzing up and down with the uncontrollable hysteria of a feral raccoon, our directive was to suck up as many clicks as possible through every angle imaginable.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Inside, though, the Charlotte Hornets rookie is about to burst from uncontrollable excitement thanks to the anticipation.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
There are not many taboos at Burning Man, so those that persist at the otherwise staunchly anarchic event do so for a reason.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Reiner could be called a journeyman director, except what kind of journeyman director could make a movie as confident as When Harry Met Sally, or as anarchic as This Is Spinal Tap, or one that juggles as many tones as The Princess Bride?—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unruly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unruly. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share