UNGOVERNABLE Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ungovernable

adjective

ˌən-ˈgə-vər-nə-bəl

Definition of ungovernable

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control a handful of ungovernable students are disrupting the learning environment for everyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in uncontrollable

given to resisting control or discipline by others resigned to the fact that my cat is basically is an ungovernable beast with a will of his own

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The vampiric Goldman Sachs that Taibbi describes is an institution, a system that became too big to fail, and thus ungovernable. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026 Unfortunately, The Baltimore Sun, a once-great regional institution, has been hijacked by the same right-wing media that has been making America increasingly ungovernable for decades. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 While founder control is cited for long-term vision, the piece suggests alternative models like steward-ownership could foster accountability without sacrificing strategic focus, urging regulators to adapt to this new era of concentrated, potentially ungovernable corporate power. — Mary Johnstone-Louis, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 The big splash made last month by the introduction of that bipartisan Senate bill was quickly drowned out by critics from both parties, along with the SEC and Big Ten, all of whom are looking for different answers to regulating an industry that is proving ungovernable. — ABC News, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ungovernable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable

Adjective

For seven seasons, a hodgepodge crew mixing Starfleet and the rebellious Maquis put aside their differences after they got zapped 70,000 lightyears away from Earth, deep into the uncharted Delta Quadrant.

— Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
This could bring about sudden ideas, or trigger rebellious impulses and creative imagination.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Definition of rebellious

Adjective

The jealousy that emanates from every pore of this guy is uncontrollable.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2026
An uncontrollable laugh when tickled is vastly different from a polite laugh in a meeting, an infectious laugh during a movie, or a nervous little giggle after making a mistake.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 June 2026

Definition of uncontrollable

Adjective

In early 2025, fighting broke out between Congolese authorities and groups led by the rebel paramilitary group M23.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026
In the middle of the developments are are lawyer Wayne Hsiung and rebel Rose Patterson, who through the process of filming, fell in love, got married and adopted James, a dog rescued from the facility in March.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Definition of rebel

Adjective

Continue contributing enough to capture any employer match, prioritize paying off high-rate debt and explore debt relief options if your balances have become unmanageable.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Unkempt vines will continue to grow vigorously and become unmanageable.

— Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026

Definition of unmanageable

Adjective

Colombia earned its passage into the round of 16 with a 1-0 win over stubborn Ghana.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Pickle Robot’s Physical AI unloaders tackle the dock door bottleneck, which is a stubborn pain point in inbound logistics, while AmbiStack handles the structured, high-volume stacking that feeds downstream operations.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

For as long as the American Dream has been around, homeownership was considered an intractable piece of the wealth-building puzzle.

— Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 June 2026
Two Ships is thus a narrative for our time, when the aspirational vision of oneness has given way to intractable twoness.

— James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Definition of intractable

Adjective

Several North Lake Tahoe beaches will be closed Saturday evening during the July 4 holiday due to what law enforcement officials described as unruly crowds of visiting teenagers.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
Britain, arguably, decided to cut its losses with the unruly thirteen colonies to better safeguard its more lucrative possessions in the Caribbean and South Asia.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026

Definition of unruly

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ungodly

ungovernable

ungraceful

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“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ungovernable

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