1
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
toddlers have very little self-control
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 self-control
Her early death, after an illness that the father initially contrives to ignore then notices just in time to capture her desperation in a fine sketch, leaves Mimí utterly disoriented, yearning only to achieve a level of self-control and detachment that will spare him their tumultuous struggle.
—
Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
-
With the world facing profound suffering and division, moral voices calling for peace, restraint and sanctity of human life deserve to be protected and amplified, not condemned.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Initially, the couple was arrested on charges of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree unlawful restraint, intentional cruelty to persons, risk of injury to a minor and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a minor.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Both focus on human achievement, discipline and expression.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This shift from inhibition to activation requires a fundamentally different toolkit — and a different kind of researcher.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
At the same time, Guanipa sought to reassure the audience that opposition leaders remain active inside the country despite risks and repression.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
-
Due to its size and the scale/quality of its repression, China stands out here.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
