1
as in regulating
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
you must learn to control your temper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in containing
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 governing
to exercise authority or power over
circumstances often control the choices we make in life
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in managing
to look after and make decisions about
during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in domineering
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 controlling
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
There was no controlling vibes or no weird feelings.
—Anne Easton, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The sentences are to run consecutively for a controlling sentence of 29 years and 5 months.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
Cost-Inflicting: A Punitive Preventative Measure The converse of benefit-provisioning would be cost-inflicting behavior: where jealousy pushes you to become more controlling, punitive or manipulative.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Verb
Has exhibited possessive or controlling behavior, and is in a recent or pending divorce or separation.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
There was no controlling vibes or no weird feelings.
—Anne Easton, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The sentences are to run consecutively for a controlling sentence of 29 years and 5 months.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
Cost-Inflicting: A Punitive Preventative Measure The converse of benefit-provisioning would be cost-inflicting behavior: where jealousy pushes you to become more controlling, punitive or manipulative.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controlling
Verb
-
On the other hand, if your social media app of choice elicits feelings of insufficiency, and self-control resources are burned up by exerting will power to avoid consuming products, or regulating hard emotions, than that experience is important to notice.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
-
The drug may achieve these benefits by regulating cellular growth and metabolism.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Gunfire ensued when Ratliff came out of the vault with a sack containing money.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Those are akin to having put together examples of people playing a sport, some examples containing no mistakes, and other examples revealing discernable mistakes.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The cooperative’s governing documents guide the board’s decisions, outlining specific responsibilities and limitations.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Whether your board can discontinue maintenance hinges on the co-op’s governing documents and the approval of any change by the requisite voting interests.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Ramsey’s mom also became their on-set guardian, accompanying them to set and managing their social media accounts.—
Makena Gera,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
By connecting with external applications, agents can take care of shopping, scheduling, managing travel, and many of our day-to-day interactions with digital services.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
My Mom Died is a heartbreaking and funny recounting of Jennette McCurdy’s struggles as a former child actor while dealing with her overbearing, domineering mother.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
-
The end of season 2 turned the tables on the meek Ada and domineering Agnes when Agnes lost her fortune thanks to her son Oscar (Blake Ritson) trusting the wrong people.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Seriously, had our honorable horror maestro taken a terrible tumble while composing the latest Goosebumps book?—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes,
2 Jan. 2025
-
Consider using two hands to steady the monocular or use surrounding objects like fences or walls to lean against while composing your image.—
Matt Morris,
Space.com,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
He was voted in amid a wave of popularity for his ruling Liberal Party in late 2015 – very much viewed as a fresh face for the future and beating incumbent Stephen Harper – but has faced multiple challenges during a near decade-long tenure.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2025
-
According to a unanimous Court of Appeal ruling in summer 2024, the trial judge marred the original guilty verdict by allowing the jury to proceed despite knowing that one juror had attempted to bribe the others.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Roles will increasingly revolve around supervising, collaborating with, or augmenting the capabilities of AI agents.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Rick Morales is supervising producer.—
Rick Porter,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controlling. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share