1
as in domineering
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1
as in regulating
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in containing
to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks
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3
as in governing
to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life
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4
as in managing
to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of controlling
James Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025 In 2016, the USTA committed $6 million for a 20% non-controlling interest in Trident8, the parent company of the Laver Cup. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026 Sepulveda Dam, completed in 1941, is a dry-land reservoir, with the purpose of controlling runoff from nearby San Gabriel, Santa Monica and Santa Susana mountains. —Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for controlling
Adjective
Yet another was a forum for people who, like me, had left a highly controlling religious denomination. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025 In 2016, the USTA committed $6 million for a 20% non-controlling interest in Trident8, the parent company of the Laver Cup. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
Chris Kuroda, Phish’s longtime genius lighting director, was mixing and controlling these virtual concert lights — in real time — and the result was nothing short of spectacular. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026 Sepulveda Dam, completed in 1941, is a dry-land reservoir, with the purpose of controlling runoff from nearby San Gabriel, Santa Monica and Santa Susana mountains. —Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for controlling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controlling
Adjective
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Token, pushover human Seth (Gil Ozeri) lives under the thumb of the tiny, domineering dog Brandi (the incomparable Amy Sedaris), a high maintenance diva with a yen for single-use Stanley cups.— Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
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After moving at a glacial pace—it’s been 20 years since the original 2006 film—the movie is having its world premiere on Monday evening, reintroducing a select group of New Yorkers to Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly, the chicly domineering editor in chief of Runway magazine.— Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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You’re supposed to win when that happens … except that the two Dodgers starters, Shohei Ohtani and Blake Snell, were equally dominating.— Jayson Stark, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The City Council is the latest legislative body to take up the work of regulating social media companies for minors.— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
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The cotton underside is just insulating enough to work on your bed year-round, while the linen’s airflow lets heat escape for a naturally temperature-regulating combination.— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the time of the incident, the victim was carrying a bag containing the three gold chains and multiple diamond watches valued at a total of $85,000.— Peter D'Oench, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
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The old flag, which depicted the old state seal on a blue field, had been criticized for years for a cluttered, undistinguished design and for containing colonial imagery and depicting racist stereotypes.— Matthew Stolle, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rollbacks included minimum wage requirements for home healthcare workers and people with disabilities, and rules governing exposure to harmful substances and safety procedures at mines.— Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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Track and field’s international governing body decided to allow seven Americans — instead of the usual four — to compete at the world championships in Denmark.— Jennifer McDermott, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite Magic guard Desmond Bane, clearly under the weather, struggling from beyond the arc but still managing to contribute 17 points.— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
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Vellimalar, a social worker and managing trustee of the company, works with as many as 500 women farmers in the region, explaining government policies, assisting them with loans, and providing farming assistance.— Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In this war lawyers invariably are depicted as soulless and grasping ambulance-chasers unconcerned about their clients’ welfare, and businesses as, well, soulless, grasping and unconcerned about their customers.— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
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The grasping big toe also suggested this human relative spent more time in the trees.— CBS News, CBS News, 26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Her former colleague, Paul Michel, says Newman is clear and cogent.— Carrie Johnson, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026
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Many of the fragments spreading through the digital panopticon comprise real footage of real events, but their cumulative effect is far from a cogent portrait.— Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/controlling. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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