control 1 of 2

noun

Definition of controlnext
1
as in controller
a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in hand(s)
the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

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4
as in hands
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal took control of the process of selecting candidates for the scholarship

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in power
the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

control

2 of 2

verb

kən-ˈtrōl How to pronounce control (audio)
1
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to contain
to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

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3
as in to govern
to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

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4
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun control contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of control are authority, command, dominion, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When can authority be used instead of control?

While in some cases nearly identical to control, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

In what contexts can command take the place of control?

The words command and control are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When is dominion a more appropriate choice than control?

Although the words dominion and control have much in common, dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

Where would jurisdiction be a reasonable alternative to control?

The meanings of jurisdiction and control largely overlap; however, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

When would power be a good substitute for control?

In some situations, the words power and control are roughly equivalent. However, power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When might sway be a better fit than control?

While the synonyms sway and control are close in meaning, sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of control
Noun
But lawmakers in different countries exercise different degrees of political control. —Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025 The circular plinth appears to float above a speaker base that hosts controls, and is made from a translucent material (perhaps acrylic) that allows the lighting within to dance to the sounds coming from the vinyl spinning on the equally visual platter. —New Atlas, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Finding new ways to control blood sugar was the perfect test case. —Alice Park, Time, 17 Apr. 2025 One of the Duke's core beliefs is that the stripping of security was a calculated attempt to control him and Meghan in a bid to deter them from stepping away from royal life and starting a new chapter outside the U.K. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? —Simon Perry, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for control
  1. controller
  2. management
  3. power
  4. regulate
  5. contain
  6. govern
  7. manage
  8. regulator
Noun
  • The city announced April 4 the hiring of Skibbe, currently the corporate controller at the Hitchcock Design Group, a landscape and architectural planning firm.
    — Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Additional credits for her include financial controller roles on What’s Love Got to Do With It, Atlanta and The Acolyte.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of controller
Noun
  • To avoid these pitfalls, companies need to treat office redesign as a change management project—not just a facilities project.
    — Ryan Anderson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Trump and Zuckerberg have a complicated history, with the president being critical of the Silicon Valley CEO's management of online censorship, which culminated in a ban from Meta platforms after the January 6 riots.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of management
Noun
  • Because a bat has a thick barrel and rotates when swung, its motion and power depend on the distribution of weight across the entire shaft, not just in one spot.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • For Manal, the real power of the album lies in speaking up about topics considered taboo in society.
    — Nour Ezzedine, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of power
Verb
  • College leaders don’t want to recognize the athletes as employees, but that comes at a cost: NCAA attempts to regulate the market in arguably logical ways swiftly face antitrust lawsuits.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Through its Kigali Amendment, the treaty now also targets powerful climate-warming gases. CITES continues to regulate international wildlife trade, curbing the exploitation of endangered species and protecting biodiversity across the planet.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Fires were contained, and no casualties were reported.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of contain
Verb
  • The President’s ironclad hegemony had become a pathetic circus of blunders until the IMF deal, threatening to prove campaign predictions of amateurism and incapacity to govern true, just as the campaign for the midterm elections gets under way.
    — Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The announcement follows a change in U.S. customs regulations governing which items need to be formally declared upon entering the country.
    — Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of govern
Verb
  • With the 18-34 crowd, the season managed a 0.378 rating, up 14% from last season’s 0.332 rating.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • As for recharging, Google could do better—the Pixel 9a manages just 23 W wired and 7.5 W wireless, and the flagship Pixels are only a little faster.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of manage
Noun
  • Google has previously explored selling off its ad exchange to appease European antitrust regulators, Reuters reported in September.
    — Jody Godoy, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • This follows lawmakers pressing regulators to investigate Live Nation’s deal with Fanatics, allowing Ticketmaster to sell secondary tickets to sporting events through the Fanatics sports app, despite reports that the company was considering entering the ticket resale market.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of regulator

Browse Nearby Words

contriving
control
controllable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on control

Nglish: Translation of control for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about control

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