uncontrollable
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of uncontrollable
Explanation
Uncontrollable things can't be managed or influenced. An uncontrollable three-year-old can be a handful, while a politician with an uncontrollable desire for power can be dangerous. If you fly off the handle at the smallest irritation, snapping angrily at the people around you, you have an uncontrollable temper. And when you and your best friend burst into giggles in the middle of chemistry class, it's uncontrollable laughter that's going to get you in trouble. When something is controllable, it can be restricted or restrained. Add the "not" prefix un-, and you've got something uncontrollable.
Vocabulary lists containing uncontrollable
"Tinker v. Des Moines": Excerpts from Justice Black's Dissenting Opinion
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Fear" and "Violence Hits Home"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All financial bacchanals end when an event, often minor but only obvious in hindsight, sets off an uncontrollable chain reaction.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 9, 2026
When the cerebellum is disrupted, people can experience symptoms including painful muscle contractions, abnormal postures, and uncontrollable shaking.
From Science Daily • Jul. 1, 2026
Those digging for her listened to her cries for help alongside her mother's uncontrollable sobbing.
From Barron's • Jun. 27, 2026
Just the pure magic of the game, an innocent curiosity to know more about it, the uncontrollable desire to 'Siuuuuu!' down supermarket shopping aisles.
From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026
The whisper changed to an uncontrollable chattering of teeth as Ranofer halted beside the narrow panel of blackness he was seeking.
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
