1
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
toddlers have very little self-control
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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
The fasting and abstinence are to practice self-control and come from the original penitence practice of the observation.
—
Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 26 Feb. 2026
Bill Clinton lost his before birth, and then grew up with an alcoholic stepfather who loved him but lacked self-control.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The horse retains its strength, now safeguarded by self-control.
—Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
This practice is a spiritual act of sacrifice, penance, and self-control, not a dietary rule.
—Nadia Cantú, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 26 Feb. 2026
Bill Clinton lost his before birth, and then grew up with an alcoholic stepfather who loved him but lacked self-control.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
The horse retains its strength, now safeguarded by self-control.
—Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
This practice is a spiritual act of sacrifice, penance, and self-control, not a dietary rule.
—Nadia Cantú, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
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The city isn’t well-positioned to raise the money to address this fact in a sensible way, given limits on its taxing authority and current budgetary restraints.—
Kevin Cole,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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The prosecutor argued that Officer Noonan showed restraint that day, only shooting when Fitzsimmons performed the tap-rack and pointed the gun.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As with any discipline, there is something democratic about its effects.—
Caleb Crain,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Wilkens grew up in the 1970s and early ’80s in Kellyville, a no-stoplight town, where her father’s moodiness and brute discipline dominated the household.—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Metallica plays on the stereo while Garcia and Huerta operate like two rock stars with no inhibitions in the kitchen.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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The blow keeps you awake and the alcohol lowers your inhibitions.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Haghighi has taken a stand against censorship and repression not only in his movies but also by personal example.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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The breach comes not long after the Justice Department earlier this month seized four domains connected to the Handala group, as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt hacking and transnational repression schemes conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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