ruly
Opposite of unruly
Ruly means orderly, well-behaved, or easily managed—the opposite of unruly.
The word exists mainly as a playful back-formation, since unruly is far more common: The children were surprisingly ruly today.
It appears occasionally in humorous or ironic contexts, often drawing attention to itself as an unusual word.
Following commands willingly
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- tractableEasily managed or controlled
- biddableReadily obeying commands
- amenableWilling to comply
cooperative · deferential · dutiful · respectful · yielding · acquiescent · complaisant · well-behaved
Orderly, or undiluted
- tidyFree from clutter
- organizedSystematically arranged
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- structuredArranged in organized form
methodical · arranged · well-kept · shipshape · uncluttered · trim · orderly · regulated
obedient
Following commands willingly
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- tractableEasily managed or controlled
- biddableReadily obeying commands
amenable · cooperative · deferential · dutiful · respectful · yielding · acquiescent · complaisant · well-behaved · law-abiding
neat
Orderly, or undiluted
- tidyFree from clutter
- organizedSystematically arranged
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
structured · methodical · arranged · well-kept · shipshape · uncluttered · trim · orderly · regulated · harmonious
rulyunruly
Difficult to control
disorderly · disobedient · unmanageable · wild · rebellious
- rule outEliminate as option
- rule of thumbPractical approximation, not strict
- ground rulesFundamental operating procedures
- ruled outDismissed as impossible
- rule of the roadStandard governing vehicle movement
- house rulesEstablishment's own regulations
rule, ruler, rules, ruling, ruled, unruly, unruliness, rulings, rulership