control 1 of 2

noun

Definition of controlnext
1
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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2
as in hand(s)
the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

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4
as in hands
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal took control of the process of selecting candidates for the scholarship

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in power
the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

control

2 of 2

verb

kən-ˈtrōl How to pronounce control (audio)
1
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in to govern
to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

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4
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
There is also the underlying issue of whether a crypto investor uses a third party for custody at all, or maintains total custody and trading control over their holdings. —Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025 Sponsors have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. —Austin Mock, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
And his office is by no means in denial about the project, which is financed by a nonprofit controlled by the governor and involves sending the phones to about 100 business leaders in the state. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025 Rather than jealously guarding the distinct powers granted to them under the Constitution, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, both Democrat and Republican, willingly, almost gleefully, cede authority to the executive branch whenever their party controls the White House. —David M. Drucker, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for control
  1. controller
  2. management
  3. power
  4. regulate
  5. contain
  6. govern
  7. manage
  8. regulator
Noun
  • Additional credits for her include financial controller roles on What’s Love Got to Do With It, Atlanta and The Acolyte.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The city announced April 4 the hiring of Skibbe, currently the corporate controller at the Hitchcock Design Group, a landscape and architectural planning firm.
    — Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of controller
Noun
  • Sullivan joined Athlete Advantage, a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) sports management company, as CEO in 2024.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Fusion Entertainment has signed actor and filmmaker Jack Haven (formerly known as Brigitte Lundy-Paine) for management.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of management
Noun
  • Because a bat has a thick barrel and rotates when swung, its motion and power depend on the distribution of weight across the entire shaft, not just in one spot.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Everybody else has no choice, really, other than to bring a cruel, narcissistic far-right leader to power.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of power
Verb
  • Aside from crime, the advisory spotlights the dangers around jet skiing and boating in the Bahamas, noting that the boating industry is not well regulated and some watercraft are not licensed, which has led to injury and death.
    — Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The Mood-Cognition Feedback Loop Beyond cognition, caffeine can also regulate mood.
    — Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • This post contains spoilers from The Handmaid’s Tale‘s Season 6 premiere.
    — Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Garland bristles at the idea the movie contains a message.
    — Thomas Page, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Any kind of responsible management would require unprecedented international cooperation, potentially including a new multinational body to govern geoengineering.
    — Brett Simpson, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Its governing body is a Board of Regents, whose members include the Vice President, the Chief Justice of the United States, three Senators, three Representatives and nine citizens.
    — Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of govern
Verb
  • However, the British actor has since managed to find some humor in the highly viral scene.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • With the 18-34 crowd, the season managed a 0.378 rating, up 14% from last season’s 0.332 rating.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of manage
Noun
  • Idaho Power filed an application with state regulators on Tuesday asking to cut the amount of money paid to rooftop solar owners by more than half.
    — Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 6 Apr. 2025
  • European Union regulators are preparing major penalties against X, including a fine that could exceed $1 billion, according to a New York Times report yesterday.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of regulator

Browse Nearby Words

contriving
control
controllable
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Cite this Entry

“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on control

Nglish: Translation of control for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about control

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