control 1 of 2

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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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control

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verb

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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

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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
But lawmakers in different countries exercise different degrees of political control. Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025 The circular plinth appears to float above a speaker base that hosts controls, and is made from a translucent material (perhaps acrylic) that allows the lighting within to dance to the sounds coming from the vinyl spinning on the equally visual platter. New Atlas, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Finding new ways to control blood sugar was the perfect test case. Alice Park, Time, 17 Apr. 2025 One of the Duke's core beliefs is that the stripping of security was a calculated attempt to control him and Meghan in a bid to deter them from stepping away from royal life and starting a new chapter outside the U.K. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Simon Perry, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for control
Noun
  • The new Joy-Con 2 controllers snap into place magnetically and double as motion-sensitive pointers, while a second USB-C port and adjustable stand make tabletop play easier.
    Dave Quinn, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • At one point, the smoke from the homes was so thick and tall that it could be seen by air traffic controllers at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, about two miles away, Guzman said.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • To avoid these pitfalls, companies need to treat office redesign as a change management project—not just a facilities project.
    Ryan Anderson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Trump and Zuckerberg have a complicated history, with the president being critical of the Silicon Valley CEO's management of online censorship, which culminated in a ban from Meta platforms after the January 6 riots.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Hugo saw that something as simple as shoes could be solved with the right approach and insights, cementing his belief in the power of technology to solve real-world problems.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Earlier this month, it was revealed that Massive Entertainment's ambitious action-adventure game would be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, which speaks well about the raw graphical power of Nintendo's new hybrid console.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Its double-sided design keeps your body temperature regulated all night long, with one side made of cool gel memory and the other of breathable bamboo viscose.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The panelists agreed that a focused, narrow bill regulating stablecoins could help cement the U.S. dollar’s dominance in a digital future.
    Nik Popli, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Fires were contained, and no casualties were reported.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The President’s ironclad hegemony had become a pathetic circus of blunders until the IMF deal, threatening to prove campaign predictions of amateurism and incapacity to govern true, just as the campaign for the midterm elections gets under way.
    Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The announcement follows a change in U.S. customs regulations governing which items need to be formally declared upon entering the country.
    Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The two brands managed just 917,598 sales in 2024, versus 1,343,959 in 2019, according to S&P Global Mobility.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The hit thriller You, whose fifth and final season just dropped on Netflix, managed to be both chameleonic and consistent.
    Judy Berman, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Google has previously explored selling off its ad exchange to appease European antitrust regulators, Reuters reported in September.
    Jody Godoy, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • This follows lawmakers pressing regulators to investigate Live Nation’s deal with Fanatics, allowing Ticketmaster to sell secondary tickets to sporting events through the Fanatics sports app, despite reports that the company was considering entering the ticket resale market.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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