as in restrained
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Dissimilar Words
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
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4
as in operated
to look after and make decisions about
during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of controlled
Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The surgeon is basically trying to make a very controlled and aesthetic scar—after all, a belly button is just an umbilical scar.
—Meirav Devash, Allure, 31 Mar. 2025
Miles Socha, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
With various factions controlled by key lieutenants, some of them close relatives, Oseguera’s moniker has been invoked to instill terror and keep subordinates in line, Craine said.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controlled
Adjective
The notion that rival great powers should come together to manage a chaotic international system is one that leaders have embraced at many points in history, often in the wake of catastrophic wars that left them seeking to establish a more controlled, reliable, and resilient order.
—Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The surgeon is basically trying to make a very controlled and aesthetic scar—after all, a belly button is just an umbilical scar.
—Meirav Devash, Allure, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
The Loewe Foundation is also creating three two-month residencies in partnership with Belmond, the hospitality group which, like Loewe, is controlled by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
With various factions controlled by key lieutenants, some of them close relatives, Oseguera’s moniker has been invoked to instill terror and keep subordinates in line, Craine said.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controlled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controlled
Adjective
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So far, the looks have featured modern takes on retro looks, eye-catching juxtapositions, and impactful yet restrained looks.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
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The script here is too stiffly restrained to a fault to make much of an emotional impact, even as spending time with these actors historically is never without pleasures.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And because the term is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration it can’t legally be referred to as milk chocolate.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
21 Feb. 2026
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The finding allowed those greenhouse gases to be regulated under the Clean Air Act, setting the stage for regulations on emissions from vehicles, power plants and the oil and gas sector.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Police also claimed that the bag contained drugs and paraphernalia.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Feb. 2026
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The court papers are contained in records from Texas, requesting multiple members of Burke’s family appear for questioning by a Los Angeles grand jury.—
Kyung Lah,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The broadcast signal remains governed by mid-20th century assumptions, while the digital ecosystem operates under an entirely different set of rules.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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These official rules and the interpretation of its terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.—
CBS News Philadelphia Staff,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For nine months, the device operated in the harsh radiation environment of space.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
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What emerged, Jackson told the court Thursday, was the portrait of a transient and calculating offender who operated across multiple states and evaded law enforcement for years.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Some players appeared inhibited, none more so than winger Leon Bailey.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Callie hangs out with her more inhibited best friend, Minnie Dunn, played spectacularly well by Katherine Mallen Kupferer.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The filings this week are part of an effort by JPMorgan Chase to have the case moved from state to federal court and to have the jurisdiction of the case moved to New York, which is where the bank accounts were located and where Trump kept much of his business operations until recently.—
Ken Sweet,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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After Windward scored the first two points of the game, Valencia’s defense kept Windward off the board again until there was less than a minute left in the period.—
Tony Gleason,
Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Epic of Gilgamesh, composed about 4,000 years ago, follows a king who searches the world for a plant that can restore youth, only to lose the plant to a thieving snake.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
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Perigee Vitz-Wong composed the score.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controlled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controlled. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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