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Definitions

out of hand

ADJECTIVE
obstreperous
Synonyms
WEAK
blusterous boisterous booming clamorous disorderly loud noisy piercing raising Cain raising the roof rambunctious riotous rowdy screaming strepitous tumultuous unmanageable unruly uproarious vociferous wild
ADJECTIVE
out of control
Synonyms
WEAK
carried away disorderly rebellious uncontrollable ungovernable unmanageable unruly wild
ADJECTIVE
runaway
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rampant unbridled unchecked uncontrolled unrestrained
STRONG
wild
WEAK
disorderly loose
Antonyms
WEAK
controlled stable staying steady

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.

The No. 9 seed Trojans let a second-round tournament contest against No. 8 seed Washington get out of hand in the third quarter, stumbling to a 76-64 loss at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

“It was one that got out of hand, but that’s what it was.”

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

You can easily believe that the often stupid conflicts examined by executive producers and directors Harrison Fishman and Dylan Redford could get out of hand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

He would lose metres off the tee and out of hand.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

Kate had never mentioned this to Joe Valery, but she thought it might have a soothing influence on him if he got out of hand.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.