CONTROL Synonyms: 219 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

control 1 of 2

noun

Definition of control

as in power

the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in grasp

the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in management

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

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as in ownership

the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal took control of the process of selecting candidates for the scholarship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

control

2 of 2

verb

kən-ˈtrōl

as in to regulate

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to govern

to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to manage

to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Rooms Standard rooms are classic in look and feel with dark wood furniture and neutral fabrics, yet appointed with modern embellishments such as universal outlets and bedside light controls. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026 Midterms might not go the way Republicans would like, potentially even giving control of both the House and Senate to Democrats. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

Live camera feeds allowed operators to monitor lifting operations and control the cranes remotely from ground level. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 Early accounts of grassroots democracy in India describe how higher-caste landowners controlled the votes of their lower-caste dependents, sometimes even marking ballots that the voters had to authenticate with their thumbprints. — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for control

Recent Examples of Synonyms for control

Noun

Jean Gilles Bernard Camille, a community organizer who lives in a gang stronghold in the capital, said foreign forces have repeatedly underestimated the capacity and power of Haitian gangs and their ability to adapt.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Georgy Tikhomirov, a nuclear physicist at Russia’s MEPhI university, said there is still too little operating experience to assess the actual cost of the electricity and power produced.

— Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Noun

The system tracks these changes to calculate muscle length and velocity, enabling the prosthetic controller to direct limb movement.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Shortly after the vote, City Councilmember Nithya Raman, Bass’ rival for mayor, appeared with city Controller Kenneth Mejia in front of the downtown DWP building to reiterate her own call for an audit — one conducted by the controller’s office.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of controller

Noun

Falcons gain possession with fumble recovery Maason Smith continued a solid game by punching out the football from the grasp of 49ers running back Kaelon Black, a fumble recovered by Gervon Dexter Sr.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Both scores were a reflection of Martinez’s grasp of the game’s nuances.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of grasp

Noun

These private, elevated spaces so intrinsic to the character of the property will remain closed to the public while management seeks a practical solution.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Savannah River National Laboratory conducts research involving nuclear materials, environmental management, energy technologies, and national security.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of management

Noun

In a Harris Poll survey published Wednesday, 65% of American adults reported spending $100 or more on playful activities or products — such as craft kits or action figures — for personal enjoyment between June 2025 and June 2026.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
My enjoyment now came from sitting back and watching her shine.

— Diana Daniele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyment

Verb

Space companies are regulated primarily by the FCC, which governs technologies used by satellites.

— Max Harden, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
The controversy emphasized how California, where shelters are overflowing with animals, failed to regulate private rescue groups.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

Separating two magnetic signals Atoms contain several sources of magnetism, including the spins of their electrons and, in some cases, their nuclei.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
These books contained everything from meeting minutes to school budgets and lists of political candidates.

— Jennifer Rich, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

Infantino is seeking re-election next year as the head of soccer’s world governing body in the face of attempts to force him to stand down in the wake of the divisive plan.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
There are other schools guided by religion – Notre Dame and Villanova are about to enjoy an audience with the Pope after playing in men’s and women’s basketball in Rome next month – but none is technically governed by its church.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of govern

Cite this Entry

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“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of control

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verb

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