SELF-CONTROL Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

self-control

noun

ˌself-kən-ˈtrōl

Definition of self-control

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

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 Sports bettors are therefore adults, and the law generally expects adults to possess greater maturity and self-control than minors. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The Greeks had a word for this The Greeks did not just casually worry about self-control. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 Dementia occurs when brain cells degenerate, especially in areas that support thinking, memory, decision-making, attention, and self-control. — Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2026 Playing tug-of-war can also help your dog develop better eye-mouth coordination, build confidence and learn self-control. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-control

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control

Noun

The African Union urged Ethiopia and its neighbors to exercise restraint as growing tensions threaten to destabilize the region.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Another worker was seen preparing food without a proper hair restraint, though this was corrected.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of restraint

Noun

At the event, 20 experts from a variety of disciplines crowded into a room in a Fort Lauderdale hotel and tried to address the growing concern of rising carbon-dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
The academies hire civilian faculty to offer expertise in topics and disciplines that military officers don’t study as part of their careers, such as English and the humanities.

— Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of discipline

Noun

Many visual motifs emerge, most notably the men in the crowd who shed any inhibitions to cry, dance, and belt the songs at the top of their lungs.

— Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
As art and its creators have shed their inhibitions in this post-Sadean world, politicians and cultural commentators have reliably lined up to condemn this total freedom of expression as being dangerous to society.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of inhibition

Noun

International experts have denounced President Faustin-Archange Touadera’s repression of the opposition and push to eliminate term limits as worrisome turns toward autocracy.

— Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Students were recorded chanting against the morality police and political repression.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026