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
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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 anarchical
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
unruly mobs roamed the streets of the capital after the government leaders had fled
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unruly
Too often, one unruly, even violent, student is allowed to disrupt the learning environment for everyone else.
—
Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The secondary villain is a doddering, power-hungry elderly man with an unruly mop of hair and a flock of advisors who constantly shower him with unearned praise.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025
Some footage in the doc shows officers clubbing unruly revelers.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 8 July 2025
The agency enforces a zero-tolerance policy for unruly conduct, carrying the potential for civil penalties and criminal charges, depending on the incident severity.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unruly
Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The secondary villain is a doddering, power-hungry elderly man with an unruly mop of hair and a flock of advisors who constantly shower him with unearned praise.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025
Some footage in the doc shows officers clubbing unruly revelers.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 8 July 2025
The agency enforces a zero-tolerance policy for unruly conduct, carrying the potential for civil penalties and criminal charges, depending on the incident severity.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unruly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unruly
Adjective
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The chancellor is caught between febrile bond markets worried about government debt levels across advanced economies and rebellious Labour lawmakers who recently forced the government to pull back on reforms to welfare spending.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
22 July 2025
-
Once Audrey Hepburn was seen in a pair of the prototypical capri pants, everyone wanted to own them, and de Lennart’s hero product was later donned by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor: appreciated for its originally rebellious intentions and modern-woman appeal.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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But earth sign parents can also lean toward being stubborn and strict, which may cause friction during a stand off or while navigating discipline or tough conversations.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
-
Whether your hair is naturally dry or parched from excessive color treatments and heat styling, brittle strands are a stubborn bummer.—
Annie Blackman,
Glamour,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The country is currently led by former rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa who was appointed transitional president last March, having acted as its de-facto leader following Al-Assad’s flight to Russia.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 July 2025
-
The president led 15,000 federalized militiamen from Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania into the west—though no rebel army materialized to oppose them.—
Time,
Time,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Florent, the restaurant, stayed open until 2008, when the rent became unmanageable; the building sold a few years later for $8.6 million.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
11 July 2025
-
The most common reasons revolve around work-life balance, a lack of support and an unmanageable workload.—
Drew Gerber,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Attorney General Pam Bondi fired an additional nine DOJ staffers who worked on criminal cases against President Trump last week.—
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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This is not the first time Songz has come under criminal investigation for assault.—
Rachel Scharf,
Billboard,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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On Monday, asked about the poll proposal at an unrelated event, Adams was defiant.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
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Trump's defiant response in Butler, Penn., may have fueled his big Election Day gains among male voters.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Owners are increasingly savvy about distinguishing between controllable and uncontrollable costs.—
Tyler Christiansen,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
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After doing so, Haley couldn't contain herself and broke out in uncontrollable laughter.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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An 11-minute, 13-episode 2D satire in which an Amazonian trickster spirit launches anarchic eco-pranks to repel loggers.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
15 July 2025
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Forty-four years ago today, people who were already afraid of cities got the scare of their lives with the release of Escape From New York, John Carpenter's carceral fantasy starring an eyepatch-wearing Kurt Russell doing battle against anarchic hordes in a chaotic urban environment.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unruly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unruly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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