1
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
toddlers have very little self-control
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
she could be passionate and intense, but generally exercised steely self-control in the company of strangers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-control
People frequently think of self-control as something that requires willpower—the effort of giving up some immediate pleasure for a long-term goal.
—
Francine Russo, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026
Holding back a child can be a good option to allow children extra time to develop self-control and self-regulation skills vital for the classroom, said Stanford professor Thomas Dee, who has studied red-shirting.
—Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
That matters because adolescence is a time when feelings get bigger before self-control fully catches up.
—Becky Kennedy
sheryl Ziegler, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
New strategies for modern temptations The original studies on willpower relied on surveys or questionnaires to measure a person's self-control and their success in life.
—Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Francine Russo, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026
Holding back a child can be a good option to allow children extra time to develop self-control and self-regulation skills vital for the classroom, said Stanford professor Thomas Dee, who has studied red-shirting.
—Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
That matters because adolescence is a time when feelings get bigger before self-control fully catches up.
—Becky Kennedy
sheryl Ziegler, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
New strategies for modern temptations The original studies on willpower relied on surveys or questionnaires to measure a person's self-control and their success in life.
—Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
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Following the investigation, more than 50 sheriffs in Missouri and Kansas updated their restraint policies, and the National Institute for Jail Operations recommended the content for national training, signaling a push for reform in how restraint systems are managed in correctional facilities.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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Colorado is among several states to prohibit or severely limit the use of chokeholds and neck restraints by police officers.—
Morgan Lee,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The local school board would decide whether cell phones could be used during after-school activities, and the districts would set their own policies on issues such as discipline for violating the policy, lawmakers said.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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Both focus on human achievement, discipline and expression.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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However, the unique culture of our city often overpowers these inhibitions, and the sight of NYPD officers patrolling as modern-day knights on horseback is a reassuring testament to that strength.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Whereas Phoebe lacks inhibitions, Valerie is plagued by them, and the contrasting sitcom formats of Friends (multi-cam) and The Comeback (mockumentary) call for totally different performance styles.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Across administrations labeled 'moderate' or 'hardline,' the system has consistently relied on repression.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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While popular with Iranians living abroad, the true extent of support for Pahlavi within Iran is difficult to measure due to the political repression and mass censorship of the Islamic regime.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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