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
Using self-control solely to avoid rejection or to mask one’s authentic self can be counterproductive.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
She, too, is tickled by her own sense of perfectionism, and those glimpses of vulnerability were a form of self-control all along.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Everyone in New York City wants to keep this restaurant to themselves, but self-control doesn’t come easy.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Myers took her Seventh Dan exam in July, where she was tested on her form, technique, strength, self-control, knowledge and agility.
—Nicole Stracek, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
She, too, is tickled by her own sense of perfectionism, and those glimpses of vulnerability were a form of self-control all along.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Everyone in New York City wants to keep this restaurant to themselves, but self-control doesn’t come easy.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Myers took her Seventh Dan exam in July, where she was tested on her form, technique, strength, self-control, knowledge and agility.
—Nicole Stracek, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
-
The civil suit alleged the restraint lasted eight minutes.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Per state guidelines and Ohio Administrative Code, physical restraint must be used as a last resort and only when there is an immediate risk of physical harm to the student or others.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Eberflus’ best intentions and vision for winning football disintegrated due in part to his team’s lack of discipline and the coaching staff’s inability to steer out of even the smallest skids.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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However, the Chinese researchers argue that those systems typically focus on fewer disciplines and often require manual adjustments when expanded.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Most of those seeds require some bit of cold weather exposure or other mitigating factor to overcome the inhibition and set the stage for a more sensible spring germination.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
21 Nov. 2025
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The key is to relax, let go of your inhibitions, and just have fun.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Critics accuse him of enabling repression and politicizing the armed forces, while supporters portray him as a stabilizing figure.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
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In June only Israel attacked Iran’s apparatus of repression.—
The Wall Street Journal,
Twin Cities,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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