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 members of the team individually and collectively have to own their own self-control and mental toughness, with the freedom to adapt as appropriate and needed.
—
George Bradt, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
For instance, trust will be eroded when a person demonstrates a lack of temperance, which manifests as being agitated, impatient, inattentive, rash, and anxious instead of being composed, patient, prudent, self-controlled, and calm.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Researchers found that people who accepted their emotions while watching a sad video performed better on a later self-control task than those who tried to suppress their emotions.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
That means making sure the youngster can demonstrate enough self-control that allows the educational process to function.
—Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
George Bradt, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
For instance, trust will be eroded when a person demonstrates a lack of temperance, which manifests as being agitated, impatient, inattentive, rash, and anxious instead of being composed, patient, prudent, self-controlled, and calm.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Researchers found that people who accepted their emotions while watching a sad video performed better on a later self-control task than those who tried to suppress their emotions.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
That means making sure the youngster can demonstrate enough self-control that allows the educational process to function.
—Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
-
The holding was manifestly correct, but the dicta may be equally important in counseling greater restraint on both sides.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
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After three consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final from 2020-22, the combination of age and salary-cap restraints had diminished the Tampa Bay roster.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Finch was unimpressed with his team’s offensive game plan discipline in the face of a desperate defense.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2025
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Harvard must investigate and carry out meaningful discipline for all violations that occurred during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years, including the Harvard Business School protest of October 2023, the University Hall sit-in of November 2023, and the spring encampment of 2024.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Read More: 8 Things to Say During a Fight With Your Partner Swearing seems to help people shed their social inhibitions, according to Stephens, one of the study’s authors.—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
1 Apr. 2025
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Those raising awareness of the Arabic Facebook posts feel no such inhibition.—
Ben Sales,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Documenting Jenna’s bold art and activism, this film offers a powerful, intimate look at resilience under repression.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2025
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At the heart of his writing is the idea of providing a deeper and more nuanced understanding of a country that lost a quarter of its population in less than a decade — one that goes beyond the images of humanitarian emergencies, crime, repression and economic collapse.—
Roxsy Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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