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
Adjust your self-control slowly to build trust.
—
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
The queen’s impeccable self-control impressed many in Washington.
—Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 15 Apr. 2026
Limits help develop self-control, responsibility, and decision making.
—Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Her early death, after an illness that the father initially contrives to ignore then notices just in time to capture her desperation in a fine sketch, leaves Mimí utterly disoriented, yearning only to achieve a level of self-control and detachment that will spare him their tumultuous struggle.
—Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
The queen’s impeccable self-control impressed many in Washington.
—Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 15 Apr. 2026
Limits help develop self-control, responsibility, and decision making.
—Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Her early death, after an illness that the father initially contrives to ignore then notices just in time to capture her desperation in a fine sketch, leaves Mimí utterly disoriented, yearning only to achieve a level of self-control and detachment that will spare him their tumultuous struggle.
—Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
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Smith died of cardiac arrest combined with acute behavioral disturbance, cocaine use and holding restraint, The Times reported.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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Its silhouettes celebrate confidence rather than restraint, with collections that carry references to Brazilian culture, landscape and energy without apology.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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These individuals are deeply collaborative, mission-driven and eager to innovate at the intersections of disciplines.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
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Over generations, those discipline practices have evolved into modern parenting practices.—
Nia Dumas,
NPR,
16 June 2026
Noun
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The little people are being menaced by a dark force—a force with power, money, and very few moral inhibitions.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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Shrug off inhibitions and break the ice as the moon and Uranus harmonize.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Large, persistent government deficits imply that future financing may rely on a mix of higher taxes, financial repression and — most relevant here — central banks keeping borrowing costs contained.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
8 Dec. 2025
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Time and again, elections were followed by opposition challenges and marches and, as documented by the United Nations in its reports, repression and death.—
Inés Capdevila,
CNN Money,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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