1
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
toddlers have very little self-control
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
she could be passionate and intense, but generally exercised steely self-control in the company of strangers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-control
For example, humility, self-awareness, self-control, moral sensitivity, social skills, emotional intelligence, kindness, prosocial and moral orientation, are all statistically more likely to be found in women than men.
—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Cognitive and emotional abilities, such as learning, reasoning, self-awareness, self-control, and empathy, can improve as the brain develops with age.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 31 Dec. 2024
Torres’s performance here is a marvel of expressive restraint, every glance merging horrified disbelief and meticulous self-control.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
Allowing your children more privacy develops independence, self-control, resilience, and emotional fortitude, says Dr. Strohman.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Cognitive and emotional abilities, such as learning, reasoning, self-awareness, self-control, and empathy, can improve as the brain develops with age.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 31 Dec. 2024
Torres’s performance here is a marvel of expressive restraint, every glance merging horrified disbelief and meticulous self-control.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
Allowing your children more privacy develops independence, self-control, resilience, and emotional fortitude, says Dr. Strohman.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
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The chance that American attacks on Houthis could prompt attacks on Saudi Arabia and a renewal of the kingdom’s brutal war in Yemen was a chief concern of the Biden administration, a prime reason that White House operated with a degree of restraint in its strikes on Houthi targets.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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Sullivan, 56, was charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Yet, despite the Jayhawks’ inarguable strengths, there were times throughout the current season when Self’s men looked lackluster, tossing on-court discipline and good form to the wind.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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The inappropriate language Trooper Proctor used in private text messages read aloud in open court were mistakes that may warrant discipline and corrective action.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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However, there are widespread inhibitions against the use of fast chargers, as they’re widely believed to reduce the total lifespan of an EV battery – although there is currently little data to support the theory.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Mar. 2025
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This piece of information is delivered in a nightclub, a Dionysian space where the whole point is to lose your inhibitions.—
Matt Zoller Seitz,
Vulture,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Reflecting on the circumstances that led to his detainment, Khalil accused the federal government of Palestinian repression, and the current and former presidents of Columbia of paving the way for the Trump administration.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
19 Mar. 2025
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Speaking at the rally, Brown University student Kai Blades called the deportation part of a broader pattern of political repression.—
Kathy McCormack,
Twin Cities,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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