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
As the situation spirals out of control, the Blanco family must choose between survival and vengeance. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025 One European official told CNN that Putin had persisted with his demands for control of all of the Donbas region - something politically and practically impossible for Zelensky to concede, and which he’s already rejected. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
Tension in the nation's capital escalated Friday over the question of who controls the city's metropolitan police department after Washington D.C.'s Attorney General filed a federal lawsuit challenging the White House's bid for full control. Brian Mann, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025 The 12-mile-long dam was built for three main reasons: to improve water quality, to control flooding, and to provide a place for recreation. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for control
Noun
  • Hall 6 puts yachts between 65 and 115 feet in the spotlight with a solid selection of superyachts, multihulls in both sail and power, and a special area for superboats and tenders to complement the parent yachts.
    Kathleen Turner, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • But learning that and learning the recent histories of all these powers and nations and systems really, really kept recentering the project.
    Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The controller’s report is filled with detail, but paints an unrealistically rosy picture by pointing to ongoing state pre-funding efforts.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 17 Aug. 2025
  • For example, a financial controller role likely prioritizes trust, ethics and data integrity, making gambling behavior, cryptocurrency speculation and financial fraud indicators particularly relevant.
    Darrin Lipscomb, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • And saying no to a quick deal that Trump supports, with thoughts of a Nobel Peace Prize within his grasp, could push the mercurial US president to lash out, perhaps cutting off crucial intelligence sharing again, or military aid.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The only way to make it to Hell without dying, though, is to master a series of logical paradoxes, and the rules governing this fictional underworld rely on both magic and a faint grasp of Plato and Aristotle.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Every operational upgrade in our distribution model was carefully timed, including the introduction of new inventory management tools, team hires, vendor agreements and, eventually, a 50,000-plus square foot distribution space.
    Aleksandr Zemel, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • That's double management's original target for the year.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Holcomb signed a letter of intent with Michigan City in December 2024, laying the groundwork to transfer ownership of the prison site to the city by Jan. 1, 2029.
    Casey Smith, IndyStar, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Address issues accordingly—create clear career paths, give developers ownership of meaningful projects, establish mentorship programs, and so on.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The agency will no longer regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants or oil and gas operations.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The production of cortisol is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the body’s main stress response system.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • According to the Florida Department of Health, raw milk can contain disease-causing bacteria, including Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, Salmonella, and others.
    Mark Harper, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The filing also contains accusations from nearly a dozen other victims, identified only by number.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout the day, your sympathetic nervous system accumulates activation while your parasympathetic system, which governs rest and restoration, gets overwhelmed.
    Allison Palmer August 19, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The legal framework governing National Guard deployments is complex.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

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