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

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Andrew Tate also faces a civil suit there by four women, accusing him of rape and coercive control. —Chris Lau, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025 The winner of the election will determine whether the court remains under liberal control or flips to a conservative majority. —arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
England continued to control the game but the movement and skill required in wide areas was never quite there. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025 And there was actually some good news this week from Florida, where the city of Miami backed off of trying to control what local arthouse O Cinema could show. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 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 new Microsoft peripheral looks almost like a Wii nunchuk controller or the PlayStation Move Navigational Controller.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The controller repeated the instructions, and this time the crew read them back correctly.
    — Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of controller
Noun
  • Simultaneously, computer vision provides real-time awareness of cityscapes, improving traffic management, security monitoring, and autonomous service delivery.
    — Cathy Hackl, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Icahn is not a micro-manager and trusts his people and management to execute effectively.
    — Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of management
Noun
  • Natural gas has the opportunity to compete with coal, diesel, and other inefficient power sources across the globe, delivering cleaner and cheaper power.
    — Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Trump has already tested the bounds of the Constitution governing presidential power several times in the first months of his second term.
    — Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of power
Verb
  • The outcome and the broader legal strategy behind the lawsuit could have far-reaching implications not only for Brazil but for any country or region – such as the European Union – attempting to regulate online spaces.
    — Camille Grenier, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The Bloomberg News film includes interviews with parents involved in efforts to secure wins in the courts and the halls of power in Washington D.C. to regulate social media platforms.
    — Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • The report from Beacon, a cross-asset portfolio analytics and risk management platform for multi-strategy hedge funds, contains some good news and some not so good news about hedge funds’ use of technology.
    — Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Firefighters have not yet contained some of the strongest blazes, although officials hoped that a sprinkling of rain on Thursday would aid their emergency efforts, the Times reports.
    — Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Any kind of responsible management would require unprecedented international cooperation, potentially including a new multinational body to govern geoengineering.
    — Brett Simpson, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Its governing body is a Board of Regents, whose members include the Vice President, the Chief Justice of the United States, three Senators, three Representatives and nine citizens.
    — Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of govern
Verb
  • Advice for other state leaders on managing this moment in the energy revolution?
    — Joan Michelson, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • According to former staff, only a handful of employees were not terminated—primarily those working abroad, who have until April 9 to return to the United States, and the regional vice presidents who manage operations in their respective areas.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of manage
Noun
  • This transparency paradox suggests that rather than banning privacy-enhancing tools outright, regulators could explore solutions that balance individual privacy with oversight mechanisms designed to flag and track illicit activity.
    — Becca Bratcher, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • In latest blow to Tesla, regulators recall nearly all Cybertrucks Encrypted messaging apps promise privacy.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 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 4 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on control

Nglish: Translation of control for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about control

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All