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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-control
This natural cause-and-effect helps build self-control in decision making, which is more effective than a lecture alone.
—
wendy Wisner, Parents, 8 July 2025
In fact, people who show more consistent self-control don’t necessarily do so all the time.
—Jasmine Mote, Scientific American, 7 July 2025
Though it's most commonly observed in people with ADHD, Sarkis said, time blindness can manifest in anyone with impairment in executive functions stemming from the frontal lobe area of their brain, which is responsible for personality, judgment, self-control and more.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 30 June 2025
These areas are important for social behavior, emotion, and self-control.
—New Atlas, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
wendy Wisner, Parents, 8 July 2025
In fact, people who show more consistent self-control don’t necessarily do so all the time.
—Jasmine Mote, Scientific American, 7 July 2025
Though it's most commonly observed in people with ADHD, Sarkis said, time blindness can manifest in anyone with impairment in executive functions stemming from the frontal lobe area of their brain, which is responsible for personality, judgment, self-control and more.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 30 June 2025
These areas are important for social behavior, emotion, and self-control.
—New Atlas, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
-
In the second photo, the animals are freed of their restraints — one of the pets is crawling about the bin while the other stays in its shell.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
24 July 2025
-
Unlike the Washington consensus, which mandated fiscal austerity and economic restraint, Silicon Valley’s calls for unprecedented investment and acceleration.—
Arafat Kabir,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
CIOs and CTOs bring structure, governance and enterprise-scale discipline to AI adoption.—
Sumit Johar,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
The new facility provides visitors with a window on the national collection of objects from creative disciplines from fashion to theater and streetwear and sculpture.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Sipping on a coffee still, of course, but with less inhibition, less American greed, more respect for communal living.—
Natalie Guerrero
July 28,
Literary Hub,
28 July 2025
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Sophie meets Margo for the first time in the bathroom at an NRA party, and Margo, free of any kind of inhibitions, does not hesitate to strip in front of her before asking her to zip her back into the dress.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Among them, the Baluch people of Sistan and Baluchestan face one of the most brutal forms of internal repression.—
Jila Andalib,
Hartford Courant,
28 July 2025
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And during the Cold War, from 1955 to 1957, Fort Dix housed Hungarian refugees fleeing Soviet repression.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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