1
as in regulating
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
you must learn to control your temper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
3
as in governing
to exercise authority or power over
circumstances often control the choices we make in life
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in managing
to look after and make decisions about
during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in domineering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
But the prevalent commentary was about the link between the seemingly controlling nature of Palmer’s husband and the growing popularity of trad wife content creators.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In tests run in the 1960s on such engines, such as NASA's NERVA rocket, controlling the engine was through a preprogrammed script – much like a common bread machine.
—David Szondy
september 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Verb
But his behavior became increasingly controlling and abusive, according to Spanish investigators.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
But the prevalent commentary was about the link between the seemingly controlling nature of Palmer’s husband and the growing popularity of trad wife content creators.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
Adjective
However, there's a significant difference between containing and controlling a wildfire.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In tests run in the 1960s on such engines, such as NASA's NERVA rocket, controlling the engine was through a preprogrammed script – much like a common bread machine.
—David Szondy
september 10, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controlling
Verb
-
Much of Emery’s strategy is about organisation and regulating the game’s tempo.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing rolling back what's known as the endangerment finding, the basis for rules regulating climate pollution, including from coal and gas-fired power plants, cars and trucks, and methane from the oil and gas industry.—
Julia Simon,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In February, a fire destroyed a South Korean budget carrier Air Busan plane, which subsequently prohibited carry-on luggage containing portable chargers from being stored in overhead bins.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
On DSPs and at digital retailers, the 23 new songs merely comprise disc one of Swag II, with a second disc also containing the 21 songs originally released as Swag the First.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The National Assembly lacks a clear governing majority and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) seems ever closer to finally winning power.—
Cole Stangler,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Purpose trusts have been around for decades as part of the arcane laws governing how estates are managed.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For many leaders, the most significant shift in leadership is not about managing bigger projects or larger teams.—
Matthew C. Meade,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Despite daunting market conditions, America’s youngest generation of adults is managing to break into the housing market in growing numbers.—
Sara Chernikoff,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Also in the cast: Emmy winner Laurie Metcalfe, as Augusta Gein, the murderer's religious, domineering mother; Tom Hollander as director Alfred Hitchcock; Olivia Williams as the filmmaker's wife, Alma Reville Hitchcock; and Lesley Manville, as Gein's second murder victim, Bernice Worden.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Cappellazzo could be domineering.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Marquette University launched a new police unit focused on curbing reckless driving around campus just a few months before two student-athletes died in a crash about a mile from campus.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Stop & Shop lowered its prices on thousands of items in late August, in a separate initiative, but a company representative told the Herald that curbing shoplifting remained on its radar.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Time saved in data collection can be devoted to results, whether composing a report, translating documents, developing a marketing strategy or creating new software.—
Morey Haber,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Williams, 93 years old and still composing music, should be left alone and left to do his more important creative tasks.—
Tim Greiving,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The ruling party won more than twice as many votes as its closest competitor, meaning the government can see through its pro-fossil fuel agenda.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Millennials are currently ruling the tech industry and clinging to their roles as the economy is rocked by uncertainty due to tariffs, inflation increases living expenses, and AI swipes jobs.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controlling. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share