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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-control
She, too, is tickled by her own sense of perfectionism, and those glimpses of vulnerability were a form of self-control all along.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Everyone in New York City wants to keep this restaurant to themselves, but self-control doesn’t come easy.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Myers took her Seventh Dan exam in July, where she was tested on her form, technique, strength, self-control, knowledge and agility.
—Nicole Stracek, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025
Amazon’s prices move faster than self-control, so don’t wait.
—PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Everyone in New York City wants to keep this restaurant to themselves, but self-control doesn’t come easy.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Myers took her Seventh Dan exam in July, where she was tested on her form, technique, strength, self-control, knowledge and agility.
—Nicole Stracek, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025
Amazon’s prices move faster than self-control, so don’t wait.
—PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
-
While objecting to restraints, Robinson’s attorneys agree with the sheriff that the court should limit or ban video and photographic coverage of proceedings.—
Stepheny Price , Melissa Chrise,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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To complement the architecture’s rigor, the current owners turned to designer André Mellone of Studio Mellone, known for his elegant restraint and understanding of proportion.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Our City Council and mayor need a class in Economics 101 and fiscal discipline to make hard decisions at City Hall.—
Letters To The Editor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
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Chaikesh learned to conceptualize and think of AI not as a black box (as in, an obtuse system where users can’t follow its internal logic) but as a discipline grounded in clarity and fundamentals.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The key is to relax, let go of your inhibitions, and just have fun.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
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On-demand male contraception via acute inhibition of soluble adenylyl cyclase.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The unrest presents a test for Hassan, who won plaudits after taking office in 2021 for easing repression of opponents and censorship that had increased under her predecessor John Magufuli.—
Reuters 10 hr ago,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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On a recent episode of the Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast, DaCosta told IndieWire that continuing to play with the script wasn’t just about calibrating the levels of performance, repression, and passion simmering just beneath the characters’ exteriors.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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