controlling

adjective

con·​trol·​ling kən-ˈtrō-liŋ 

: 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

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

According to Callas, his management became more controlling than collaborative, though. —Katie Mannion, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024

Micro-Management in Disguise Narcissistic bosses are often skilled at reframing their most controlling tendencies as virtues. —Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

In each case, the asset manager got 49% of the joint venture and Intel retained a controlling interest of 51%. —David Meyer, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing controlling

• controlling interest

Rhymes for controlling

• cajoling
• consoling
• enrolling
• extolling
• patrolling
• unrolling
• bowling
• coaling
• doling
• growling
• holing
• poling

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 controlling

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

2

: having controlling interest

controlling shareholders