control

1 a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked Synonyms controller, regulator Related Words actuator; button, dial, key, knob, lever, push button, selector, switch

2 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 grasp, hand(s) Related Words clutch, grip, hold, mastery; arm, command, dominion, helm, sway; authority, domination, jurisdiction, might, power; administration, direction, governance, government, guidance, management, operation, oversight, regulation, running, superintendence, supervision Near Antonyms helplessness, weakness; impotence, impotency, powerlessness

3 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 Synonyms administration, care, charge, conduct, direction, governance, government, guidance, handling, intendance, management, operation, oversight, presidency, regulation, running, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, supervisionRelated Words generalship, leadership, rulership; agency; aegis (also egis), custody, guardianship, keeping, lap, protection, safekeeping, trust, tutelage, ward; engineering, logistics, machination, manipulation; coadministration, codirection, comanagement

4 the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal took control of the process of selecting candidates for the scholarship Synonyms possession, enjoyment, hands, keepingRelated Words ownership, proprietorship; authority, command, dominion, mastery, power; repossession, retention; claiming, collaring, commandeering, confiscation, procurementNear Antonyms dispossession, relinquishment, surrendering, transferalAntonyms nonpossession

5 the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control Synonyms arm, authority, clutch, command, power, death grip, dominion, grip, hold, mastery, reign, rein(s), swayRelated Words clout, influence, leverage, pull, voice, weight; jurisdiction; direction, management; dominance, imperium, predominance, sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy; prerogative, privilege, right; eminence, importance, momentNear Antonyms helplessness, weaknessAntonyms impotence, impotency, powerlessness

1 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper Synonyms bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame Related Words bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow; arrest, interrupt, stop; block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct; gag, muzzle, silence Near Antonyms liberate, loose, loosen, unleash; air, express, take out, vent Antonyms lose

2 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 calm, compose, contain, collect, re-collect, settleRelated Words hold back, restrain; rally, recover; lull, quiet, soothe, still, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

3 to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life Synonyms boss, captain, command, govern, preside (over), rule, sway [archaic]Related Words conduct, direct, head, lead; administer, manage, micromanage, oversee, regulate, superintend, supervise; dictate, dominate, domineer, lord (it over), master, oppress, reign (over), tyrannize; conquer, subdue, subjugate

4 to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable Synonyms administer, administrate, carry on, conduct, direct, govern, guide, handle, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tendRelated Words care (for), mind, watch; lead, pilot, steer; guard, protect, safeguard; micromanage, stage-manage; codirect, comanage