unruly

unruly
adjective (unrulier; -est) Etymology: Middle English unreuly, from un- + reuly disciplined, from reule rule Date: 15th century not readily ruled, disciplined, or managed <
an unruly crowd
> <
a mane of unruly hair
> • unruliness noun Synonyms: unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control. unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior <
unruly children
>. 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
>. intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control <
intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump
>. refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold <
special schools for refractory children
>. recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority <
acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace
>. willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way <
a willful disregard for the rights of others
>. headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion <
a headstrong young cavalry officer
>.

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • unruly — unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong are comparable when they mean not submissive to government or control. Unruly stresses a lack of discipline or an incapacity for discipline; in addition it often… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Unruly — Un*rul y, a. [Compar. {Unrulier}, superl. {Unruliest}.] [Pref. un not + rule. Cf. {Ruly}.] Not submissive to rule; disregarding restraint; disposed to violate; turbulent; ungovernable; refractory; as, an unruly boy; unruly boy; unruly conduct.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • unruly — I adjective chaotic, contrary, contumacious, disobedient, disorderly, effrenatus, ferox, fractious, froward, hard to control, headstrong, incorrigible, indocile, insubordinate, intractable, irrepressible, lawless, mutinous, obstinate,… …   Law dictionary

  • unruly — (adj.) c.1400, from UN (Cf. un ) (1) not + obsolete ruly amenable to rule, from RULE (Cf. rule) (n.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • unruly — [adj] disobedient assertive, bawdy, disorderly, drunken, forward, fractious, headstrong, heedless, impervious, impetuous, imprudent, impulsive, incorrigible, inexorable, insubordinate, intemperate, intractable, lawless, mean, mutinous,… …   New thesaurus

  • unruly — ► ADJECTIVE (unrulier, unruliest) ▪ disorderly and disruptive; difficult to control. DERIVATIVES unruliness noun. ORIGIN from archaic ruly «disciplined, orderly», from RULE(Cf. ↑rule) …   English terms dictionary

  • unruly — [unro͞o′lē] adj. unrulier, unruliest [ME unruely < un , not + reuly, orderly < reule,RULE] hard to control, restrain, or keep in order; disobedient, disorderly, etc. unruliness n …   English World dictionary

  • unruly — unruliness, n. /un rooh lee/, adj., unrulier, unruliest. not submissive or conforming to rule; ungovernable; turbulent; intractable; refractory; lawless: an unruly class; an unruly wilderness. [1350 1400; ME unruely, equiv. to un UN 1 + ruly,… …   Universalium

  • unruly — [[t]ʌnru͟ːli[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED If you describe people, especially children, as unruly, you mean that they behave badly and are difficult to control. It s not good enough just to blame the unruly children. ...unruly behaviour. Syn: uncontrollable …   English dictionary

  • unruly — UK [ʌnˈruːlɪ] / US [ʌnˈrulɪ] adjective Word forms unruly : adjective unruly comparative unrulier superlative unruliest very difficult to control unruly children She spent hours trying to tame her unruly hair …   English dictionary

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