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 criminal
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
Kafka could be seen at disability rights protests sporting a halo of white curls and an unruly beard.
—
Alana Wise, NPR, 27 Dec. 2025
The clause of the Immigration and Nationality Act allowing for removal of such individuals has been used by the administration on various foreign nationals, mostly over anti-Israel protests and unruly conduct related to those protests.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 26 Dec. 2025
Continuing the crackdown on unruly behavior and publicizing it widely is the only way to get passengers to shape up.
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
In my father’s story, the mother faces the doorway into which her son appears, pajamaed and beautiful with blond hair made unruly by sleep.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unruly
Alana Wise, NPR, 27 Dec. 2025
The clause of the Immigration and Nationality Act allowing for removal of such individuals has been used by the administration on various foreign nationals, mostly over anti-Israel protests and unruly conduct related to those protests.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 26 Dec. 2025
Continuing the crackdown on unruly behavior and publicizing it widely is the only way to get passengers to shape up.
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
In my father’s story, the mother faces the doorway into which her son appears, pajamaed and beautiful with blond hair made unruly by sleep.
—Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unruly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unruly
Adjective
-
Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was the law in the rebellious states.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
-
This wretched regime is doomed to be overthrown by the risen populace and rebellious youth.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
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 Jan. 2026
-
The vinegar cleaning method isn’t foolproof, and sometimes stubborn residue can remain on your microwave walls.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.—
Rafael Escalera Montoto,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The discovery helped open the door to more recent developments such as tinkering with the genetic makeup of living things, treating disease by inserting genes into patients, identifying human remains and criminal suspects from DNA samples, and tracing family trees and ancient human ancestors.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Two men are targeted by the rebel army who overthrew the government of Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
-
He was denounced by rebel propagandists as a tyrant and remembered by Americans as a reactionary dolt.—
Bhumika Tharoor,
The Atlantic,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump is unmanageable and will intervene like no incumbent in history.—
Myra Adams,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
-
And as a new Forbes report explains, some of America's most popular cities are becoming downright unmanageable.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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,
16 Dec. 2025
-
The internet is ascendant, and anarchic.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
13 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez initially was angry and defiant.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Venezuela’s interim leader, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, has alternated between taking a conciliatory approach towards Washington and striking a defiant tone.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Leaders often blame uncontrollable factors—policies of previous administrations, hiring for a boom that fizzled unexpectedly, macroeconomic uncertainty, the rise of artificial intelligence—but all too often the real strategic issues go unaddressed.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
1 Jan. 2026
-
The phenomenon of cavitation—the formation and collapse of tiny gas bubbles due to changes in pressure—was considered an undesirable and largely uncontrollable side effect.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unruly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unruly. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share