Ungovernable
adjective
Not capable of being controlled or managed.
The child's behavior was so wild and ungovernable that the school had to call his parents.

Often appears as...
- ungovernable rage
- ungovernable child
adjective
Not able to be governed or influenced.
His ungovernable desire for power led him to make reckless decisions.

Often appears as...
- ungovernable desire
- ungovernable nature
adjective
Not capable of being controlled or managed.
The child's behavior was so wild and ungovernable that the school had to call his parents.

Often appears as...
- ungovernable rage
- ungovernable child
adjective
Not able to be governed or influenced.
His ungovernable desire for power led him to make reckless decisions.

Often appears as...
- ungovernable desire
- ungovernable nature
Definition 1 of 2

Behavioral Context
Use 'ungovernable' when describing behavior that's extremely difficult to control or guide.

The untamed horse was ungovernable on the track.
Extreme Emotion
'Ungovernable' often indicates an overpowering force, like in extreme emotional situations.

Her ungovernable joy at the news was infectious.
Intensity Level
The word suggests a higher level of intensity than similar words like 'disobedient' or 'naughty'.

The team's spirit became ungovernable after several unfair referee calls.
Behavioral Context
Use 'ungovernable' when describing behavior that's extremely difficult to control or guide.

The untamed horse was ungovernable on the track.
Extreme Emotion
'Ungovernable' often indicates an overpowering force, like in extreme emotional situations.

Her ungovernable joy at the news was infectious.
Intensity Level
The word suggests a higher level of intensity than similar words like 'disobedient' or 'naughty'.

The team's spirit became ungovernable after several unfair referee calls.
Behavioral Context
Use 'ungovernable' when describing behavior that's extremely difficult to control or guide.

The untamed horse was ungovernable on the track.
Extreme Emotion
'Ungovernable' often indicates an overpowering force, like in extreme emotional situations.

Her ungovernable joy at the news was infectious.
Intensity Level
The word suggests a higher level of intensity than similar words like 'disobedient' or 'naughty'.

The team's spirit became ungovernable after several unfair referee calls.
Video examples
3 ways to upgrade...
the sense that people are falling out of love with this as a way of getting things done, that it's not fundamentally working. And we see this crisis take many forms in many different countries. So in the UK, you see a country that now at times looks almost ungovernable.
Video examples
3 ways to upgrade...
the sense that people are falling out of love with this as a way of getting things done, that it's not fundamentally working. And we see this crisis take many forms in many different countries. So in the UK, you see a country that now at times looks almost ungovernable.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Dexter Filkins
American Journalist
I think - I think the real nightmare place now is less Afghanistan than it is Pakistan. I mean, again, Pakistan is this gigantic country, deeply troubled, kind of almost ungovernable, sitting on top of probably 50 or 60 nuclear warheads. Nobody really knows where the warheads are; the Americans certainly don't know where they are.

Quote examples
Mike Barnicle
American Journalist
The world is an increasingly dangerous, troubled place. There are nations that seem to be ungovernable. Nations where violence and religious combat are as common as the sunrise.

Quote examples
Trish Regan
American Journalist
You've heard me question whether the partisanship in Washington has made us, as a nation, ungovernable - and, indeed, Democrats are doing their very best to make sure of it.

Quote examples
Joe Slovo
South African Politician
One thing is obvious: Our policy, which is directed at making the country ungovernable, has started to bear fruit. The process that has been initiated is irreversible.

Quote examples
Steve Hilton
British Businessman
Membership of the E.U. makes Britain literally ungovernable, in the sense that no administration elected by the people can govern the country.

Quote examples
John Muir
American Environmentalist
Sheep, like people, are ungovernable when hungry.

Quote examples
Dexter Filkins
American Journalist
I think - I think the real nightmare place now is less Afghanistan than it is Pakistan. I mean, again, Pakistan is this gigantic country, deeply troubled, kind of almost ungovernable, sitting on top of probably 50 or 60 nuclear warheads. Nobody really knows where the warheads are; the Americans certainly don't know where they are.

Quote examples
Mike Barnicle
American Journalist
The world is an increasingly dangerous, troubled place. There are nations that seem to be ungovernable. Nations where violence and religious combat are as common as the sunrise.

Quote examples
Trish Regan
American Journalist
You've heard me question whether the partisanship in Washington has made us, as a nation, ungovernable - and, indeed, Democrats are doing their very best to make sure of it.

Quote examples
Joe Slovo
South African Politician
One thing is obvious: Our policy, which is directed at making the country ungovernable, has started to bear fruit. The process that has been initiated is irreversible.

Quote examples
Steve Hilton
British Businessman
Membership of the E.U. makes Britain literally ungovernable, in the sense that no administration elected by the people can govern the country.

Quote examples
John Muir
American Environmentalist
Sheep, like people, are ungovernable when hungry.

Example 1 of 6
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