control 1 of 2

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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

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control

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verb

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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

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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
Johnson’s performance is humble rather than showy, an impressive feat of control and restraint. Richard Lawson, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025 The test confirmed effective multi-stage boosting and control at high altitudes. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Typically the party that controls Washington fares worse during midterm elections, which, depending on the scale of its losses, can limit a president’s ability to implement the party’s agenda. Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025 Which team controls the strike zone better could go a long way in determining this series. Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for control
Noun
  • This is a sister organization to the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025—a sweeping conservative policy blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government by expanding presidential power, dismantling parts of the civil service, and rolling back regulations across agencies.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Additional revelations hint of Kiri's evolving powers, the menacing Quaritch bonding with Varang to help defeat the Na'vi, a spectacular air/sea clash between the Ash People, the RDA, and the Na’vi, and Spider threatening to kill someone offscreen.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The American Airlines jet was going at a speed of around 154 mph and was nearly airborne when the controller immediately instructed the plane to abort takeoff.
    Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Fewer eyes on the skies ✈️ Nashville's air traffic is now managed by fewer controllers than 20 years ago, while daily passenger volumes are at record highs.
    Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Fellow defensive tackle Daron Payne missed another on Atlanta’s subsequent series, and Jacob Martin let Robinson slip through his grasp on a second-and-1 run that turned into a four-yard gain.
    Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • However, with the game largely out of grasp before the first series of the second half, Hubbard and Dowdle continued to take a backseat on offense.
    Mike Kaye September 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For now, the 37-year-old, who holds a business management degree and owned a catering firm back in Savannah, is waiting tables at a sports bar near Madison Square Garden for three shifts and hoping to get a bartender position.
    Michael Sasso, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Fellows spend 40% of their time connecting with resources such as tutoring to obtain a GED, driver's education, domestic violence support, case management and more.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rays fans hope habitual cost-cutting will end with new ownership and an influx of capital.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Music fans then, like in the decades before — spanning everything from wax cylinders to cassettes to compact discs — had ownership of their music collection.
    Roy Trakin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This neurocosmetic innovation, inspired by Nobel Prize-winning research on touch receptors, works by activating sensory pathways in the skin to trigger the release of mood-regulating biomarkers, establishing a continuous feedback loop between skin repair and emotional balance.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Congress has resisted legislative attempts to regulate the technology, and federal agencies have contracted with Meta and OpenAI to use their AI models.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The federal government is hurtling toward a possible shutdown at a delicate moment for the nation's economy, as a hiring slowdown stokes recession fears and inflation proves difficult to fully contain.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • This story contains mention of domestic violence.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Gaza would then be governed by an international coalition headed by Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
    Richard Hall, Time, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Then comes the real work of actually governing the world’s fourth-largest economy, with the future prime minister inheriting a slate of thorny issues.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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