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
The mega-rich like Musk don’t exactly have a huge degree of self-awareness or self-control.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 6 June 2025
Studies have found that decision fatigue can impair attention, self-control and judgment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Philip Elliott, Time, 6 June 2025
Studies have found that decision fatigue can impair attention, self-control and judgment.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
-
Shams Charania’s debut as part of ESPN’s NBA Draft coverage last week doubled as a herculean exercise in restraint.—
Peter A. Berry,
Rolling Stone,
29 June 2025
-
Most were secular, or observed religion privately and with restraint.—
Kian Tajbakhsh,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
But the promise of fiscal discipline has become a straightjacket.—
Oliver Eagleton,
Time,
5 July 2025
-
Our options are to chase growth and tolerate inflation siphoning away most of the progress, impose austerity and trigger a populist backlash, or adopt a neutral monetary protocol and accept the discipline that comes with it.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
4 July 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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Human rights groups have also warned that near-total internet blackouts across Iran can be used as a tool of repression, blocking the population from sharing information with the outside world.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
25 June 2025
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This was not just a strike on a symbol of repression.—
Siamak Namazi,
Time,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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