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
Yet another was a forum for people who, like me, had left a highly controlling religious denomination.
—
James Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
As some fans got older, Edward's obsession with Bella seemed more controlling than swoonworthy.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
The startup will pay Nvidia in cash for chips, and Nvidia will invest in OpenAI for non-controlling shares, the person said.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
In the meantime, overly strict or controlling behavior—especially from moms—can increase social anxiety.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
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James Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
As some fans got older, Edward's obsession with Bella seemed more controlling than swoonworthy.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
The startup will pay Nvidia in cash for chips, and Nvidia will invest in OpenAI for non-controlling shares, the person said.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
In the meantime, overly strict or controlling behavior—especially from moms—can increase social anxiety.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controlling. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
controlling
adjective1
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.
J. H. Friedenthal et al.2
: having controlling interest
controlling shareholders
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