control 1 of 2

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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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control

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verb

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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

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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
Instead, the accident was the most significant technical setback for the Starship program since the first full-scale test flight in 2023, which damaged the launch pad before the rocket spun out of control in the upper atmosphere. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2025 Brooklyn also reacquired control of its 2025 and 2026 first-round picks from the Houston Rockets over the summer — a move that seemed to indicate the Nets expected to be picking high. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
By the end of the 1970s, Mr. Coffee controlled fully half of the American coffee maker market. Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2025 By Rebecca Schneid February 28, 2025 10:35 AM EST U.S. consumers have been encouraged to participate in a 24-hour buying boycott today, targeting all economic activity—especially major retailers—as a way to show politicians that everyday consumers can control the economy. Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for control
Noun
  • And since air traffic controllers are critical in preventing collisions, the fact that there's a nationwide staffing shortage potentially leading to overworked controllers may not be helping those fears.
    Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Simply put, at the time of the accident, the plane was being handled by Canadian controllers, though there is no indication so far that that was a contributing factor.
    Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • After receiving a takeover bid from Couche-Tard last year, Seven & I’s founding family had begun talks to take the convenience store owner private in what would have been the largest management buyout in history if successful.
    Reuters, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Running Point, on the other hand, is just an exercise in brand management.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Critics, even in his own ranks, saw this as an unforgivable breach of a political quarantine designed to keep the AfD out of power.
    Thomas Escritt, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The justices could have done what their Brazilian counterparts did—ruled that abuses of power and attempts to overturn an election were disqualifying for the highest office of the land.
    Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Colleagues in a healthy workplace regulate what’s acceptable and what grates with thousands of social cues that most don’t consciously register.
    Anna Jankowska, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Unlike widening, which decreases the cost of driving and thus causes demand to rebound, congestion pricing regulates the cost of driving in a particular area or lane to tamp down on traffic, Burris explains.
    Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Most drugstore shampoos contain harsh ingredients that dry out the scalp.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Research from Cisco Talos threat intelligence in November 2024 revealed that 60% of all emails that contain a QR code were spam, and the majority of spam comes complete with a malicious threat these days.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the governing body overseeing the OG of award shows, has worked over the past decade to restructure the membership of film professionals who vote on the Oscars each year.
    Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The judge, appointed by former President Barack Obama, said the unions must pursue their legal challenges through the scheme established by Congress in the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute, which governs labor relations in the federal workforce.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Only two tracks have managed to lead the Hot Dance/Pop Songs list since its inception six weeks ago.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • And as a part-time Air National Guard officer, General Caine was a co-founder of RISE Air, a regional airline, and managed other private businesses, according to his LinkedIn page and interviews with friends and former colleagues.
    Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The bank was still fined $136 million by regulators last year for not making enough progress on the improvements.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Every second a business is offline costs money, frustrates customers, alarms investors and draws the watchful eye of regulators.
    Karthik Sj, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

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