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
Why This Matters, Especially Now The study highlights the crucial link between self-compassion and self-control.
—
Ellen Choi, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Produced by the band and inspired by the 2017 thriller First Reformed, the LP finds La Dispute grappling with a looming apocalypse, the detriments of technological evolutions, and the illusion of self-control.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 May 2025
Even small amounts can damage a child’s brain function, affecting their behavior, IQ and self-control.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
He's obviously come a long way in terms of drinking and self-control from that night.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Ellen Choi, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Produced by the band and inspired by the 2017 thriller First Reformed, the LP finds La Dispute grappling with a looming apocalypse, the detriments of technological evolutions, and the illusion of self-control.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 May 2025
Even small amounts can damage a child’s brain function, affecting their behavior, IQ and self-control.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
He's obviously come a long way in terms of drinking and self-control from that night.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
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Some voices, such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have urged restraint against rushing to defer to Israel’s efforts—putting leading leftists in an odd confluence with folks like Carlson and former Trump counselor Steve Bannon.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
17 June 2025
-
While members called for restraint and diplomacy, divisions remain.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Noun
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This kind of discipline builds clarity, momentum and trust.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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The prompt-a-thon process reframes prompting as a high-impact diagnostic and design discipline—engineered for fast, actionable insight.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
23 June 2025
Noun
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For how much their environment (interactions with people) impacted them, men showed more inhibition than women.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Its ability to lower inhibitions and amplify emotions can turn minor arguments into serious, sometimes dangerous conflicts.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Mercury News,
29 May 2025
Noun
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The following testimony, my own, is just one example of the level of repression this couple is inflicting on the entire nation, as well as on citizens from other countries.—
Juan Sebastián Chamarro,
National Review,
8 June 2025
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Two of the least powerful groups threatened by the current climate of repression are public school teachers and their students, children who may never even realize what they have been kept from learning.—
Jane S. Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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