Definitions

unruly

[uhn-roo-lee] / ʌnˈru li /

ADJECTIVE

disobedient

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disorderly drunken fractious impulsive lawless ornery quarrelsome rebellious recalcitrant reckless restive riotous rowdy turbulent uncontrollable unmanageable violent wayward

WEAK

assertive bawdy forward headstrong heedless impervious impetuous imprudent incorrigible inexorable insubordinate intemperate intractable mean mutinous obstreperous opinionated out of control out of line perverse rash refractory ungovernable unyielding wild willful

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable calm cautious controllable happy manageable mild moderate obedient passive patient

WEAK

compliant yielding

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.

Police arrested several unruly fans near Madison Square Garden in New York Wednesday night, where basketball fans gathered for Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Spurs and the Knicks, an AFP photographer observed.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

While Tory chief whip, Sir Gavin was said to have used Cronus to intimidate unruly MPs so they stuck to the party line.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

The government is asking passengers to take a look in the mirror in the fight against unruly plane behavior.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

But it also attracted scores of photographers, visual artists, taggers and scene kids who documented the unruly energy brimming over these grim industrial landscapes, lighted up with flames and police chopper spotlights.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Officers recognized the troops were angry and unruly.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Vocabulary lists containing unruly

List 6

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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act II

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Tears of a Tiger

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