Unruly: meaning, definitions and examples

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unruly

[ʌnˈruːli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Difficult to control or rule; disobedient or disruptive.

Synonyms

disobedient, disruptive, rebellious, wild.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unruly	Use when describing someone or something that is difficult to control or manage, often in a chaotic or noisy way. The unruly children made it hard for the teacher to keep order in the classroom Her unruly hair refused to be tamed
disobedient	Best used when someone is not following rules or instructions, especially in settings like home, school, or work. The disobedient dog refused to sit, even though it had been trained The employee was fired for being disobedient to workplace policies
disruptive	Suitable for situations where someone or something is causing interruptions and disturbing the normal flow of activities, often used in academic or professional settings. His disruptive behavior during the meeting was not tolerated by his colleagues The construction noise was disruptive to the nearby residents
wild	Use for describing someone or something that is untamed, uncontrolled, or behaving in a way that is free from restrictions or conventions. The hikers encountered a wild bear in the forest Her wild imagination led her to create some of the most unique artworks
rebellious	Appropriate for describing someone who is defying authority or conventional norms, often in a more deliberate or ideological way. During her teenage years, she went through a rebellious phase, constantly challenging her parents' rules The artist's work was considered rebellious against traditional art forms

Examples of usage

He was suspended from school for his unruly behavior.
The unruly crowd refused to disperse.
The unruly children ran wild in the playground.
She struggled with her unruly emotions.
The unruly teenager constantly defied authority.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

hair

Messy or untamed in appearance.

Synonyms

disheveled, messy, untamed, wild.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unruly	Describes something that is difficult to control or manage. It is often used for difficult-to-control people or behavior. The unruly crowd caused a lot of trouble at the concert
untamed	Used to describe something that is wild and not controlled by humans, often referring to animals or nature. The untamed forest was full of wild animals
messy	Describes something that is not neat and orderly, often in reference to rooms, workspaces, or appearances. It can also refer to situations that are complicated or confusing. Her desk is always messy with papers all over
disheveled	Refers to someone or something that appears messy or untidy, especially hair or clothing. After a long day at work, he looked very disheveled
wild	Can describe something natural and uncontrolled, like nature or behavior, and often has a strong, untamed, or unrestrained connotation. Sometimes implies excitement but can also mean dangerous. They had a wild night out, partying until dawn

Examples of usage

Her unruly curls framed her face beautifully.
He tried to tame his unruly hair with gel.
The wind made her hair even more unruly.
The stylist managed to control her unruly hair.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', and 'ruly', derived from 'rule', indicating that something is not ruled or controlled.
Its usage can be traced back to the late 14th century, illustrating how language evolves over time.
The prefix 'un-' is often used in English to create opposites, making 'unruly' a clear contrast to 'ruly', a rare term meaning well-behaved.

Literature

Shakespeare frequently employed the term 'unruly' in his plays, particularly to describe chaotic situations or characters that defy authority.
In modern literature, 'unruly' often characterizes protagonists who rebel against societal norms, highlighting a struggle for freedom.
Authors like Mark Twain also depicted unruly characters as symbols of youth and disobedience, leading to both comedic and serious consequences.

Psychology

Studies indicate that unruly behavior in children can be linked to creativity, as they often think outside the box and challenge expectations.
Psychologists view unruly behavior as a sign of establishing autonomy, especially in adolescence, where independence becomes paramount.
Unruliness can sometimes be a coping mechanism for stress or a way to express emotions that might be difficult to articulate.

Pop Culture

In movies and TV, unruly characters often provide comic relief, highlighting the contrast between order and chaos.
Unruliness is a common theme in youth culture, influencing music genres like punk rock, where rebellion against traditional norms prevails.
Reality shows often thrive on the antics of unruly contestants, capturing viewers' attention with their unpredictable behavior.

Education

In classroom settings, unruly behavior can challenge teachers, prompting the need for effective classroom management techniques.
Educational psychologists emphasize the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for unruliness, advocating for supportive interventions.
Some educators encourage slight unruliness, believing it fosters creativity and critical thinking when properly channeled.

Translations

Translations of the word "unruly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 indisciplinado

🇮🇳 अनियंत्रित

🇩🇪 ungezogen

🇮🇩 tidak tertib

🇺🇦 непокірний

🇵🇱 niezdyscyplinowany

🇯🇵 手に負えない

🇫🇷 indiscipliné

🇪🇸 indisciplinado

🇹🇷 asi

🇰🇷 제멋대로인

🇸🇦 جامح

🇨🇿 neukázněný

🇸🇰 neukázněný

🇨🇳 难以控制的

🇸🇮 neukročen

🇮🇸 óþekktur

🇰🇿 тәртіпсіз

🇬🇪 ურჩი

🇦🇿 intizamsız

🇲🇽 indisciplinado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,416, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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16413 sewn
16414 caterpillar
16415 staples
16416 unruly
16417 adapter
16418 greyish
16419 shattering
...