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Definitions

out of control

ADJECTIVE
behaving unreasonably
Synonyms
WEAK
carried away disorderly out of hand rebellious uncontrollable ungovernable unmanageable unruly wild

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Last week, we asked you to tell us about your biggest money mistakes — and you opened up about everything from dicey stock-market bets to spending habits that got out of control.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Everything is out of control, and Charlie and Emma are left to head home on their own to figure out the next steps, if there are any next steps to be taken at all.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

We don’t yet want to say that the situation has spiraled out of control, but the spiral could be only a couple of headstrong choices away.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2026

Then-president Robert Maynard Hutchins worried college football was spinning out of control, overshadowing academic priorities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Mr. Jacobs, terror on his face, raised his arms up in a sign of concession, but then lowered them and tried to push everyone away when he saw things spiraling out of control.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro