unruly

Meaning

Wild; uncontrolled.

Synonyms

ungovernable

disobedient

refractory

wild

wayward

naughty

unrestrained

uncontrollable

intractable

recalcitrant

unmanageable

rambunctious

insubordinate

rumbustious

mischievous

rebellious

incorrigible

undisciplined

robustious

boisterous

self-willed

unbridled

lawless

deadend

over-familiar

delinquent

be stubborn

ill-behaved

indocile

uncontrolled

impertinent

tough

stubborn

troublesome

disorderly

obstreperous

rowdy

savage

frolicsome

frisky

restive

turbulent

loud

libertine

free

🆓

knavish

fractious

destructive

irregular

forward

Translations

discolo

unbändig

revoltoso

indiscipliné

indocile

indisciplinado

bandeloos

indócil

désobéissant

ungebärdig

indocile

sregolato

descontrolado

desobediente

widerspenstig

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ʌnˈɹuːli/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: unruly

Cognate with Middle English: ruly

Inherited from Middle English: unrouly

Cognate with Danish: urolig

Cognate with Swedish: orolig

Cognate with Icelandic: órólegur

Cognate with Middle English: unroo

In summary

From Middle English unruly (“unquiet, restless”), equivalent to un- + rule + -ly (compare Middle English ruly, reuli (“subject to a religious rule, regular”)), but also representing a modified continuation of earlier Middle English unrouly, unroly (“unquiet, restless”), equivalent to un- + roolie. The latter is perhaps from or influenced by Old Norse *úróligr, related to Danish urolig (“restless”), Swedish orolig (“restless”), Icelandic órólegur (“agitated”). Compare also Middle English unroo, unro (“unrest”). More at roo.