controlled 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of controllednext
as in restrained

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

controlled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of control
1
as in regulated
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
2
as in contained
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
3
as in governed
to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in operated
to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 controlled
Adjective
Once the legs are free, slow and controlled motions can help a person gradually reach firmer ground. — Outside, 5 Mar. 2026 Thiesse is his antithesis – quiet, controlled and polite. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
In the end, neither the altitude, nor the smog, nor more than 80,000 fans were decisive factors in the final outcome of a game in which England’s superior roster filled with Premier League talent controlled the result. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 The plant also can be controlled by applying a nonselective herbicide, but that will not save digging. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for controlled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controlled
  1. restrained
  2. regulated
  3. contained
  4. governed
  5. operated
  6. inhibited
  7. kept
  8. composed
Adjective
  • Ossant describes the collection as combining sensual tailoring with fluid proportions and restrained transparency, creating an understated confidence that has become synonymous with Vaccarello's creative direction.
    — Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • The joyous if relatively restrained gathering was the culmination of the riotous nationwide celebrations that had broken out on the evening of April 12, when the results of the parliamentary elections came in.
    — Gordon F. Sander, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026
Definition of restrained
Verb
  • Prediction markets can legally operate in Texas because they’re regulated by the federal government rather than under state gambling laws.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
  • The Roanoke River flows from Virginia into North Carolina and has lower sections regulated by hydroelectric projects, according to Paddle Guide.
    — Mark Price July 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
Definition of regulated
Verb
  • As of Friday afternoon, the fire in the Boise Foothills had burned more than 6,500 acres and was 23% contained.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2026
  • The rifle contained one spent cartridge casing and three unfired rounds, which were each engraved with messages, said Sergeant Jennifer Faumuina, an investigator with the State Bureau of Investigation called to testify by prosecutors.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of contained
Verb
  • The state can set aside more money, but the main reserve is governed by constitutional rules limiting how and when it can be used.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • It is governed by scheduling algorithms, referral pathways, insurance requirements, and administrative processes.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of governed
Verb
  • Luis Mauricio Flores Ordonez, 33, was charged with owning an unregistered aircraft that was operated by another person.
    — Kelly O'Donnell, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • For days, the US and its fans had operated under the assumption that there was no mechanism for the striker to have his suspension erased.
    — Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of operated
Adjective
  • Both players were so inhibited for the final game of the set that the level of play resembled something from a local park.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • This really is a time to be less inhibited about going out.
    — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 25 May 2026
Definition of inhibited
Verb
  • Asked about the change in plans, Scheffler kept his focus squarely on the week ahead.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Present-day Palo is seated atop of Roman port and seaside resort Alisum where Emperor Marcus Aurelius himself kept a villa.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 July 2026
Definition of kept
Verb
  • The experience of the drink is composed, elegant even, a sophisticated push and pull subtlety and counterbalance, but the list of ingredients reads, to me, to be almost flamboyantly random.
    — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 11 July 2026
  • Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from makeup artists.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 11 July 2026
Definition of composed

Browse Nearby Words

controllable
controlled
controller
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Controlled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controlled. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on controlled

Nglish: Translation of controlled for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All