controlling 1 of 2

controlling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of control
1
2
as in containing
to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 controlling
Adjective
They have long since been known to be very controlling with video footage from tournament play. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 His controlling behavior has nothing to do with you and everything to do with his own insecurities. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025 Last July, Belk unloaded more than $950 million in debt and gave some lenders more controlling interests in the company. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2025 Some in the user community—and 3D printing advocates broadly—are pushing back, suggesting the firm has other, more controlling motives. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 21 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for controlling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controlling
Adjective
  • Carrie is described as a reimagining of the story of misfit high-schooler Carrie White, who has spent her life in seclusion with her domineering mother.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Perhaps most frustrating to Mainers: the domineering influence of Boston in the state’s government.
    Made by History, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The drug may achieve these benefits by regulating cellular growth and metabolism.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Dec. 2024
  • On the other hand, if your social media app of choice elicits feelings of insufficiency, and self-control resources are burned up by exerting will power to avoid consuming products, or regulating hard emotions, than that experience is important to notice.
    Ellen Choi, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Gunfire ensued when Ratliff came out of the vault with a sack containing money.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Dec. 2024
  • American fans have the opportunity to purchase seven different CD variants, all containing collectible items such as photocards, posters, stickers and trading cards.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The death, in a hospital, was announced by the International Chess Federation, the game’s governing body.
    Dylan Loeb McClain, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Whether your board can discontinue maintenance hinges on the co-op’s governing documents and the approval of any change by the requisite voting interests.
    Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Ramsey’s mom also became their on-set guardian, accompanying them to set and managing their social media accounts.
    Makena Gera, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • By connecting with external applications, agents can take care of shopping, scheduling, managing travel, and many of our day-to-day interactions with digital services.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The imperial Presidency: Designs on Greenland, promises to take back the Panama Canal, threats of tariffs on countries ranging from Colombia to Taiwan—how did a President who once pledged isolationism become so grasping?
    Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Multiplied across numerous markets in every state, the LIHTC fuels more and more grasping for cash instead of reductions to make housing easier to create.
    Roger Valdez, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the White House continues to put out mixed messages on the tariffs, when the very least voters deserve is a cogent explanation of the strategy behind the policy.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Indeed, topics — some cogent, some not — abound that will invite speculation during the early-week practice rounds.
    Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Seriously, had our honorable horror maestro taken a terrible tumble while composing the latest Goosebumps book?
    Mitch Wallace, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Consider using two hands to steady the monocular or use surrounding objects like fences or walls to lean against while composing your image.
    Matt Morris, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

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

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