Thesaurus

unruly

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of unruly

1 given to resisting authority or another's control

unruly pupils were given detention as a matter of course

Synonyms of unruly

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

Words Related to unruly

noncooperative, uncooperative

insurgent, mutinous

adamant, adamantine, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, negativistic, 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, monkeying, monkeyish, naughty

dissident, nonconformist

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

Near Antonyms of unruly

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 unruly

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

2 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 of unruly

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

Words Related to unruly

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, indocile, insubordinate, rebellious

misbehaving, naughty

Phrases Synonymous with unruly

out of hand

Near Antonyms of unruly

docile, obedient, well-behaved

compliant, placable, pliable, submissive, yielding

accepting, persuadable, receptive, responsive, willing

reasonable, temperate, trainable

Antonyms of unruly

controllable, governable, manageable, tractable

3 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 of unruly

anarchic (also anarchical), disorderly, lawbreaking, lawless

Words Related to unruly

defiant, insubordinate, mutinous, rebellious, refractory, riotous

criminal, felonious, illegal, illegitimate, illicit, unlawful, wrongful

disobedient, froward, intractable, recalcitrant

Near Antonyms of unruly

lawful, legal, legalized, legitimate

amenable, compliant, docile, obedient, submissive, tractable

Antonyms of unruly

law-abiding, orderly

Synonym Discussion of unruly

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 unruly

See words that rhyme with unruly Dictionary: Definition of unruly Spanish Central: Translation of unruly Nglish: Translation of unruly for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of unruly for Arabic speakers

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