controlling

adjective

con·​trol·​ling kən-ˈtrō-liŋ How to pronounce controlling (audio)
: inclined to control others' behavior : domineering

Examples of controlling in a Sentence

She is very strict and controlling. The larger bank remained the controlling party when it took over the smaller banks. He paid over 40 million dollars for a controlling interest in the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Over two years later, in May 2024, Rigby was sentenced to 20 months in prison (suspended for two years) after pleading guilty to coercive and controlling behavior. Bailey Richards, People.com, 13 Oct. 2024 The show’s other villains are its husbands and boyfriends, who are either very controlling or just downright shady. Anna Tingley, Variety, 12 Sep. 2024 Some readers were also unsettled by her comments about childbirth and her husband’s role in their traditional family dynamic, which some felt portrayed an overly controlling situation. Maddie Garfinkle, Peoplemag, 30 July 2024 The Dallas Mavericks could also be looking for a new home as Mark Cuban, the former controlling owner of the team, has frequently alluded to network changes since selling the team to Miriam Adelson last season. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for controlling 

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of controlling was in 1974

Dictionary Entries Near controlling

Cite this Entry

“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controlling. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

controlling

adjective
: tending to control the behavior of other people

Legal Definition

controlling

adjective
1
a
: exercising domination or influence
the controlling principles of law
b
: dispositive
judgment debtor's stipulation to pay a specified amount is not controllingJ. H. Friedenthal et al.
2
: having controlling interest
controlling shareholders
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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