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.
Cops have unmasked some of the unruly mob at a crazed Queens car meetup that left three NYPD vehicles vandalized, police said Friday. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025 While reports of unruly riding is citywide, one area that has seen a lot of issues is in the Top of the World neighborhood, near the trailhead for the Woods Canyon Wilderness Park, officials said. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2025 The young Hanks plays Travis Bugg, an unruly point guard for the Waves. EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025 As lawmakers on both sides of the aisle condemned the security breach, Americans with their own unruly group chats watched with recognition and disbelief: How had some of the country’s most powerful officials managed to so badly bungle using technology that millions of people rely on every day? Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 26 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 10 Apr. 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
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