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 next

as in power

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

The lawsuit further alleges Lam remained in control of both organizations before and after the conveyance. —

Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 26 June 2026 The donors lean Republican and cash could prove critical for the GOP to maintain control of Congress in November. —

Eric Lau, Washington Post, 25 June 2026

Verb

Scientists have discovered a new way to control quantum light sources by twisting atomically thin layers of a material known as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a breakthrough that could help bring quantum technologies closer to practical use. —

Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026 Today, access remains controlled through a reservation system that allows 615 visitors per day, and reservations frequently fill up. —

Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for control

Recent Examples of Synonyms for control

Noun

To put these figures in perspective, the entire city of San Francisco consumes about 1 gigawatt of power.

— Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
The Hermosa Beach Pier closed Sunday morning after a truck collided with nearby power lines.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 22 June 2026

Definition of power

Noun

Players will interact with BTS’ music through full-body gameplay, using Nex Playground’s controller-free, motion-tracking technology.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 23 June 2026
Unlike other watering systems, the IrriSense 2 houses its controller, sprinkler, electric valve, and nutrient feeder in a single device, controlled via an app on your phone.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 22 June 2026

Definition of controller

Noun

Gautam Mukunda writes about corporate management and innovation.

— Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 20 June 2026
Union leadership said this week that the league was not formally asked by management to meet and confer over various charter proposals dealing with the LAPD, including the one focused on policy.

— Los Angeles City Hall, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

Definition of management

Noun

Shoppers are reading labels, asking harder questions, and rewarding products that deliver both enjoyment and genuine function.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
The visual accompaniment to the president’s promise of national enjoyment showed two multistory stone arcades running down the length of the Mall—very classical, very retvrn—thronged with crowds.

— Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Definition of enjoyment

Verb

State lawmakers have stepped back from earlier, wider-ranging attempts to regulate AI that were vetoed or otherwise derailed by governors who viewed the measures as too onerous toward the industry’s development, including efforts to hold developers accountable for bias in AI systems.

— Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
The candidates in the crowded field have traded barbs about Bores’ supposed ties to Big Tech and outside groups have poured millions into the race both supporting and opposing his proposals to regulate artificial intelligence.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

His election marked a historic shift for the South American country, governed almost continuously since 2006 by Bolivia’s Movement to Socialism, or MAS.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
The Cuban government this week approved a package of 176 economic reforms that would significantly alter parts of the socialist model that has governed the island for more than six decades.

— Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 20 June 2026