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
Having switched labels, from Sony to the more controlling Ariola/BMG, Soda considered kick-starting their new record deal with a double album.
—
Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
The rest of the cast does their best to rise — or descend — to the occasion, with Sedgwick quite good in her largely thankless role as the controlling Jewish mother.
—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Tuesday’s announcement also comes as Shari Redstone — the media heiress who holds a controlling share of National Amusements, Paramount Global’s parent company — continues to seek a merger between Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
Has exhibited possessive or controlling behavior, and is in a recent or pending divorce or separation.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
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Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
The rest of the cast does their best to rise — or descend — to the occasion, with Sedgwick quite good in her largely thankless role as the controlling Jewish mother.
—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Tuesday’s announcement also comes as Shari Redstone — the media heiress who holds a controlling share of National Amusements, Paramount Global’s parent company — continues to seek a merger between Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
Has exhibited possessive or controlling behavior, and is in a recent or pending divorce or separation.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 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 30 Jun. 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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