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
And sometimes the most controlling and destructive cliques are the ones that aren't on anyone’s radar.
—
Sherri Gordon, Parents, 3 July 2024
In recent weeks, Redstone received overtures to sell just National Amusements and its controlling Paramount shares, which would represent a more straightforward transaction.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024
Her research indicates that all this worry can cause some parents to become more controlling and authoritarian, driven by the desire to protect their kids from danger or judgment.
—Marla Broadfoot, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024
During her bail hearing on Thursday, Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Tyler McCoy said Maye had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and had had shown possessive and controlling behavior in the past.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controlling 
Sherri Gordon, Parents, 3 July 2024
In recent weeks, Redstone received overtures to sell just National Amusements and its controlling Paramount shares, which would represent a more straightforward transaction.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024
Her research indicates that all this worry can cause some parents to become more controlling and authoritarian, driven by the desire to protect their kids from danger or judgment.
—Marla Broadfoot, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024
During her bail hearing on Thursday, Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Tyler McCoy said Maye had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and had had shown possessive and controlling behavior in the past.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controlling
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'controlling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near controlling
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controlling. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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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