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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ungovernable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ungovernable are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, unruly, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," 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

When could headstrong be used to replace ungovernable?

The words headstrong and ungovernable can be used in similar contexts, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When can intractable be used instead of ungovernable?

The meanings of intractable and ungovernable largely overlap; however, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

In what contexts can recalcitrant take the place of ungovernable?

The words recalcitrant and ungovernable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

When is refractory a more appropriate choice than ungovernable?

In some situations, the words refractory and ungovernable are roughly equivalent. However, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When is it sensible to use unruly instead of ungovernable?

Although the words unruly and ungovernable have much in common, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

When would willful be a good substitute for ungovernable?

While in some cases nearly identical to ungovernable, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

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 ungovernable In its editorial, Automotive News said Stellantis might be ungovernable but was certainly in need of a major overhaul. Neil Winton, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 But even Jewish-Jewish coalitions have proved ungovernable. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024 The many examples of personal incompetence in rich industrial democracies generated the thesis that such countries had become ungovernable. Harold James, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021 Waymo’s lovable and ungovernable driverless taxis aren’t playing by the rules again in San Francisco. Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 30 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ungovernable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable
Adjective
  • In addition, parents who are too strict might even end up with kids who are extra rebellious.
    Taylor Grothe, Parents, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Boon will play Eddie Harrigan, Kevin’s rebellious son.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Joking was her version of uncontrollable tears, but Dr. Fenton neither laughed nor pressed to see what was behind Lilian’s inane laughter.
    Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Separating benefits from employee health also allows businesses to escape uncontrollable, often double-digit, group plan renewals.
    Jack Hooper, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The attacks started this week after reports emerged that Assad loyalists had ambushed and killed members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – the rebel group that spearheaded the rebellion that ousted the former Syrian leader.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The singer and the songwriter traversed the frontlines of the urban guerrilla war that had consumed the city of Homs by that point, with one half of the city overtaken by regime soldiers and the other half controlled by rebel groups.
    Jawad Rizkallah, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • One in three Americans report carrying unmanageable levels of debt in 2024, according to a recent study from the Financial Health Network.
    Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Without this foundation, systems and processes will fail—and the resulting manual, frustrating work will become unmanageable.
    Rana Robillard, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images A defiant President Trump defended imposing new tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico – three of the United States' largest and most crucial trading partners – at a joint session of Congress Tuesday night.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
  • President Donald Trump took a defiant victory lap in the House chamber on Tuesday night, using his address to a joint session of Congress to promote the flurry of drastic changes to domestic and foreign policy that his administration has made in just the first six weeks.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But four months after becoming the first Republican in two decades to win the popular vote, Trump faces a new reality of needing to tackle some of the most stubborn challenges awaiting any new president and deliver on his campaign promises to lower prices.
    CNN.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Like this Fire sign, Drizella is unapologetically stubborn and impatience, believing she is entitled to nothing but the best.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s more, Asian elephants are highly social, highly intelligent, and endangered, raising intractable ethical obstacles to experimenting on them.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Climate change will create intractable problems for some countries and open new opportunities for others, encouraging a race for territory.
    Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This includes making a claim through their Partner Liability Insurance program, or reporting guests' unruly behavior using their guest misconduct tool.
    Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Top Five Cryptocurrency Exchanges By Saul Hudson Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member opinion 0 Crypto's spectacle is once again loud and unruly.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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