unmanageable

USAGE SUMMARY

"unmanageable" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or person that is difficult to control, influence, or handle. For example: "The teenager's temper tantrums were becoming unmanageable, so the parents had to intervene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The other major threat – disease – may prove more unmanageable though.

The Guardian

On the practicalities, Hughes commented: "It looks to me as if it may be an unmanageable task.

The Guardian - Tech

Labour said analysis of the plans submitted so far reveals they would lead to about 3C of warming, not the 2C above pre-industrial levels needed to avoid unmanageable consequences.

The Guardian

He says there's no risk that they will get into unmanageable debt because the banks won't extend excessive credit, calling the system "self-regulating".

The Guardian

Invalided out of the army, he tried teaching but found children unmanageable, and admitted later that he had not the first idea how to teach.

The Guardian

What in the past appeared to be a beneficial synergy of operations now looks like a series of unmanageable conflicts.

The Economist

What makes it even harder is the absence of any real attempt to curb the state's notoriously unmanageable spending.The fragile unity achieved at last weekend's meeting was the product of an undertaking to moderates that, in return for supporting the budget, they would get a pension reform early in the new year.

The Economist

In the hands of a lesser writer, those missing three decades might have made an unmanageable obstacle to an interesting story.

The Economist

And the reason the scheme has aroused such hostility is that everybody thinks that it would make the Tube as unmanageable as the railways.

The Economist

The labour market was being made more flexible, and Hungary wanted to become "as competitive as China".What's more, Hungary's previously "unmanageable" relations with Slovakia had improved; the two countries would soon sign an agreement to build a gas interconnector to improve energy security.

The Economist

At the same time, there is widespread use of soft drugs and contempt for the laws that criminalise them.The police are as fed up with enforcing unenforceable drugs laws as the prison officers are with managing unmanageable prison numbers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or situations, use "unmanageable" to convey a sense of overwhelming difficulty or a lack of control. For instance, "The debt had become unmanageable."

Common error

Avoid using "unmanageable" in overly casual conversations where simpler terms like "difficult" or "tricky" would suffice. Save it for situations demanding a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unmanageable" primarily functions to describe a noun as being difficult or impossible to control, handle, or direct. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a correct and usable word. Ludwig shows a lot of examples of "unmanageable" debts, but it could refer to all kinds of things: people, situations etc.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

22%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unmanageable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes something difficult or impossible to control. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Its usage spans various contexts, primarily news, formal business, and scientific domains, where it conveys a sense of severity and loss of control. While generally neutral to professional in tone, be mindful of its weight in informal settings. Alternatives like ""out of control"" or ""intractable"" can provide nuanced expressions. Effective writing involves recognizing when the gravity of "unmanageable" is most fitting versus when simpler terms would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncontrollable

A direct synonym, stressing the lack of ability to control.

out of control

Focuses more on the loss of control rather than inherent difficulty in managing.

impossible to handle

Emphasizes the impossibility aspect, suggesting a lack of any feasible solution.

beyond control

Highlights that the situation has exceeded the limits of control.

intractable

Implies stubbornness and resistance to being managed or solved.

overwhelming

Emphasizes the sense of being overpowered by the scale or intensity of something.

unruly

Often used for behavior, implying a lack of discipline and order.

awkward to handle

Focuses on the difficulty and clumsiness in dealing with something.

defiant

Suggests a deliberate resistance to management or authority.

insurmountable

Highlights the impossibility of overcoming or managing a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "unmanageable" in a sentence?

You can use "unmanageable" to describe situations or objects that are difficult or impossible to control. For example: "The crowd became "out of control" and unmanageable" or "The paperwork had become an "overwhelming" and unmanageable burden".

What are some alternatives to "unmanageable"?

Alternatives include "out of control", "intractable", "impossible to handle", or "beyond control", depending on the specific context.

What makes something "unmanageable"?

Something becomes "unmanageable" when it exceeds the capacity or resources available to control or handle it effectively. Factors could include scale, complexity, or a lack of resources. This is especially true when something gets "impossible to handle".

Is "unmanageable" a formal or informal word?

"Unmanageable" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, such as news reports, business documents, and academic papers. However, less formal alternatives might be preferable in casual conversations. Consider using alternatives like "difficult" or "tricky" in informal settings.