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
According to those close to the family, József was extremely controlling and would often make terrifying threats.
—
Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
In girl friend groups, one of the girls is a bit more controlling, a bit more sassy, and a bit more precocious than the other ones.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
The structure also includes equity from several French partners and an additional contribution from Carbios, which will leave the company as a minority, non-controlling shareholder.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
New Delhi on Tuesday relaxed rules for investments from countries sharing a land border with India, allowing automatic approval for non-controlling ownership of up to 10%, subject to compliance requirements.
—Shruti Srivastava, Bloomberg, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controlling
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Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
In girl friend groups, one of the girls is a bit more controlling, a bit more sassy, and a bit more precocious than the other ones.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
The structure also includes equity from several French partners and an additional contribution from Carbios, which will leave the company as a minority, non-controlling shareholder.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
New Delhi on Tuesday relaxed rules for investments from countries sharing a land border with India, allowing automatic approval for non-controlling ownership of up to 10%, subject to compliance requirements.
—Shruti Srivastava, Bloomberg, 11 Mar. 2026
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 Apr. 2026.
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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