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
Example Sentences
The child is very headstrong. He is known for his headstrong behavior.
Recent Examples on the WebWhile bankruptcy law has shrouded legal proceedings, this hasn’t stopped foolhardy and headstrong retail traders from buying up shares. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2022 Vicky was a headstrong tornado of a girl, Marley an avatar of virtue. Mayukh Sen, The New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2022 Get lost in Austen's world with this 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle that brings beloved characters like the dashing Mr. Knightley and the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet to life. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 16 July 2022 The headstrong track shows a confident Sevana strolling through her native Jamaica, green outfit matching her lush surroundings. Neena Rouhani, Billboard, 13 June 2022 As a young girl growing up in Stockton, California, Raechyl was headstrong and funny, and loved to learn, according to her mother, Jeri White. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 10 May 2022 Khaled Sobhy has been called the Richard Williams of squash, and the comparison is not unwarranted: Like Williams, Khaled was a headstrong figure determined to produce champions and at no small sacrifice for all involved.New York Times, 4 May 2022 Their headstrong leader is Jennie Kanematsu-Ross, a tattooed mother of toddlers who grew up in the church. Dan Cryer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2022 Progressives see him as an experienced and headstrong rulemaker who is not afraid to take a hard line against big banks.Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2021 See More