1
as in regulating
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
you must learn to control your temper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in containing
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
3
as in governing
to exercise authority or power over
circumstances often control the choices we make in life
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in managing
to look after and make decisions about
during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in domineering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 controlling
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
The first step in learning how to be less controlling, then, is to consider where this urge is coming from.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 July 2025
Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
Unlike injectable obesity drugs, which are peptides designed to mimic the appetite-controlling GLP-1 hormone, orforglipron is a small molecule pill that is easier to manufacture and package, said Kenneth Custer, president of Lilly's cardiometabolic health division.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Verb
But the prevalent commentary was about the link between the seemingly controlling nature of Palmer’s husband and the growing popularity of trad wife content creators.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
The first step in learning how to be less controlling, then, is to consider where this urge is coming from.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 July 2025
Adjective
There’s not much left to gerrymander One of the main reasons dummymandering happens is that there has been so much gerrymandering that there are few remaining districts competitive enough for a controlling party to pick off for themselves.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
Unlike injectable obesity drugs, which are peptides designed to mimic the appetite-controlling GLP-1 hormone, orforglipron is a small molecule pill that is easier to manufacture and package, said Kenneth Custer, president of Lilly's cardiometabolic health division.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controlling
Verb
-
Merino wool also has natural temperature-regulating and odor-controlling properties—both of which are ideal for hiking.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Complex carbs also are likely to contain fiber which is very helpful in regulating blood glucose concentration.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By Wednesday evening, the fire crew succeeded in containing 20% of the wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Goudstikker left the paintings behind but took a black notebook containing the details of his collection, which helped his family recover the lost artwork.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans departed Washington promising to make changes to the Senate rules governing how nominees are confirmed despite objections from Democrats.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Getty Images European football governing body UEFA has granted FC Barcelona special permission to switch its home venue half way through the Champions League’s 2025/2026 league phase according to RAC1, which cited anonymous sources.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite daunting market conditions, America’s youngest generation of adults is managing to break into the housing market in growing numbers.—
Sara Chernikoff,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Fire containment Containment is part of a larger plan for managing a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Cappellazzo could be domineering.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
-
His Victor is the product of a coddling mother (Mia Goth), who dies young and leaves him emotionally adrift, and a domineering father (Charles Dance), who molds him into a brilliant but heedless inventor.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Simultaneously, immigration constraints are tightening labor supply, curbing potential output and stoking wage pressures.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Political experts say the timing and tenor of the moves leave little doubt that Manatee’s growth-curbing agenda triggered the response.—
Josh Salman,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Time saved in data collection can be devoted to results, whether composing a report, translating documents, developing a marketing strategy or creating new software.—
Morey Haber,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Williams, 93 years old and still composing music, should be left alone and left to do his more important creative tasks.—
Tim Greiving,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The ruling party won more than twice as many votes as its closest competitor, meaning the government can see through its pro-fossil fuel agenda.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Millennials are currently ruling the tech industry and clinging to their roles as the economy is rocked by uncertainty due to tariffs, inflation increases living expenses, and AI swipes jobs.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controlling. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share