1
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
2
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ungovernable
South Korea was becoming ungovernable; the system seemed unable to overcome intense partisan divisions and deliver any kind of policy.
—
Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2025
The result is a massively flawed information market and an increasingly ungovernable world.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
In California, the shift toward ungovernable fires in populated places has been under way for several years.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
The colonial government’s fear of ungovernable Black people still lingered, however.
—Sasha C. Wells / Made By History, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ungovernable
Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2025
The result is a massively flawed information market and an increasingly ungovernable world.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
In California, the shift toward ungovernable fires in populated places has been under way for several years.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
The colonial government’s fear of ungovernable Black people still lingered, however.
—Sasha C. Wells / Made By History, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ungovernable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable
Adjective
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From director James DeMonaco, creator of The Purge franchise, actor-comedian Davidson plays Max in The Home, a rebellious twenty-something sentenced to community service at a quiet retirement home.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 July 2025
-
The story follows rebellious young demigod Ne Zha, who wrestles with his powers and the threat of humanity’s destruction.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
These arachnids suck juices from the tomato plants and seemingly all of a sudden build large uncontrollable populations.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
-
Despite months of meticulous planning, there will always be uncontrollable variables that require monitoring..—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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Tucked in a corner of the dining room is what Price claims is the last photo ever taken of the rebel abolitionist John Brown, set in an ornate and rusted frame.—
Kevin Lozano,
New Yorker,
6 July 2025
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The bill passed in a vote Tuesday night but only after steep concessions to rebel lawmakers who opposed cuts to disability benefits.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
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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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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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One of the people that is most stubborn in their support of these spendy projects is Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
For indoor brick, keep it simple by trying a slightly damp brush to sweep away stubborn dirt.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Californians are tired and angry about the seemingly intractable, unsheltered, street homelessness crisis.—
Catherine Blakespear,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
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Beyond that, New York City’s tech sector has surpassed Austin at this point and can offer ways through some of the most intractable problems.—
Jamie Rubin,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
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Some footage in the doc shows officers clubbing unruly revelers.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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