Thesaurus

power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine. power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

- the power to mold public opinion

authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

- granted the authority to manage her estate

jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

- the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

- you are responsible for the students under your control

command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

- the army officer in command

sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

- the empire extended its sway over the region

dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

- given dominion over all the animals

control

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of control

1 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)

You must learn to control your temper.

Synonyms of control

bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame

Words Related to control

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 of control

liberate, loose, loosen, unleash

air, express, take out, vent

Antonyms of control

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 of control

calm, collect, compose, contain, re-collect, settle

Words Related to control

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 of control

boss, captain, command, govern, preside (over), rule

Words Related to control

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 of control

administer, administrate, carry on, conduct, direct, govern, guide, handle, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend

Words Related to control

care (for), mind, watch

lead, pilot, steer

guard, protect, safeguard

micromanage, stage-manage

codirect, comanage

Phrases Synonymous with control

watch over

Synonym Discussion of control

conduct, manage, control, direct mean to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate. conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.