unruly

adjective

un·​ruly ˌən-ˈrü-lē How to pronounce unruly (audio)
unrulier; unruliest
: not readily ruled, disciplined, or managed
an unruly crowd
a mane of unruly hair
unruliness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of unruly in a Sentence

unruly pupils were given detention as a matter of course a camp that was known as a place where unruly youths were given their last chance to shape up
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The eight-episode Season 1 of The Franchise followed the crew of an unloved franchise movie fighting for their place in a savage and unruly cinematic universe. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2025 But Mayhem is about using music as archeology to excavate unruly parts of one’s own identity. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025 And so will the unruly demands and desires that come with growing up, torqued by successes and failures. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025 In the Ford administration, a very disorganized speechwriting operation led to one unruly Oval Office situation. Tevi Troy, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unruly

Word History

Etymology

Middle English unreuly, from un- + reuly disciplined, from reule rule

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unruly was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unruly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unruly. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

unruly

adjective
un·​ruly ˌən-ˈrü-lē How to pronounce unruly (audio)
ˈən-
unrulier; unruliest
: not yielding easily to rule or restriction : uncontrollable
an unruly temper
an unruly horse

More from Merriam-Webster on unruly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!