control 1 of 2

noun

Definition of controlnext
1
as in power
the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controller
a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked

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3
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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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5
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

control

2 of 2

verb

kən-ˈtrōl How to pronounce control (audio)
1
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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3
as in to govern
to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

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4
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
As the control center for the body’s functions, the brain plays an important role in aging. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 5 Feb. 2026 Drift racers intentionally oversteer to the point of losing traction while maintaining control of the car. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Ford also includes sophisticated radar that can help control air traffic and navigation. —Idrees Ali, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026 The expressive and excitable young girl stumbles along, while the wary grown-up remains controlled and refined — even though both are completely lost. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for control
  1. power
  2. controller
  3. grasp
  4. management
  5. ownership
  6. regulate
  7. contain
  8. govern
Noun
  • Food and drink Onsite restaurant L’Escale is just as much a Greenwich institution as the hotel itself—a proper entity conveniently attached at the hip to your lodging for power lunchers in daylight, special-occasion diners in the evening, and a rotating cast of Hopper subjects always at the bar.
    — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Republicans often couched their fury at speech restrictions — around right-wing cultural politics and COVID-19, in particular — as part of a broader critique of corporate power.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • During the demo in Colorado, a pilot at a controller company in California flew the drone.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
  • To receive the award, the authority completed governance transparency requirements including ethics training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings and filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the state controller in a timely manner.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of controller
Noun
  • Aljorna was able to slip out of his jacket, freeing himself from the agent’s grasp, and ran to his cousin, Goetz said.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Peck performed side-by-side with Fambrough until his death in 2023, a time frame that allowed Peck to grow more confident in his abilities and better grasp why his heroes were keen on this arrangement.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of grasp
Noun
  • John Rose, chief risk officer for global travel management company Altour, said strains could surface at airports more quickly this time because the TSA workforce also will be remembering the last shutdown.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • All this comes with an impressive calorie tradeoff – fewer than 4 calories per medium-sized berry, making strawberries a satisfying option for snacking or dessert when healthy weight management is a priority.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of management
Noun
  • Even with parties signing non-disclosure agreements or vessels being registered under shell companies, journalists have found ways to prove yacht ownership and make that information available with the push of a button.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Pohlad specifically mentioned the 2023 trade deadline — the Twins were in first place by a slim margin but essentially stood pat — and the 2023 offseason when ownership slashed payroll in response to the team’s swelling debt.
    — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of ownership
Verb
  • Four years later, the Coastal Act became state law, regulating development in collaboration with local government agencies, guaranteeing public access and protecting marine and coastal habitats.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Seamless construction meant no chafing, the wide waistband sat comfortably against the belly, and the 100% wool material offered temperature-regulating bliss.
    — Anna Callaghan, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • Honorable mentions New to the regular concession offerings, the Baja-style fruit cups are a light and refreshing snack containing slices of watermelon, mango, jicama and cucumber and they are garnished with chamoy, lime juice and Tajin.
    — Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Water and moisture resistance Wood and water don’t mix well, and any type of flooring that contains wood will be prone to warping, rot and permanent water damage.
    — Dan Simms, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Kennedy received a verbal warning from governing body World Curling a day after the feisty back-and-forth with the Swedish team, when fingers were pointed and the Canadian player repeatedly swore.
    — STEVE DOUGLAS, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
  • On the governance front, Dallas leaders voted Wednesday to support shrinking the city’s power to at least 45% on DART’s board, which some cities say doesn’t give a fair voice or vote to smaller suburbs represented by the 15-member governing body.
    — Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of govern

Browse Nearby Words

contriving
control
controllable
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Cite this Entry

“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on control

Nglish: Translation of control for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about control

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