1
as in domineering
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of controlling
R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2024
Insight initially invested in the startup’s $25 million round in 2017 and then acquired a controlling stake two years later for more than $780 million.
—Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024
Over two years later, in May 2024, Rigby was sentenced to 20 months in prison (suspended for two years) after pleading guilty to coercive and controlling behavior.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 13 Oct. 2024
The show’s other villains are its husbands and boyfriends, who are either very controlling or just downright shady.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controlling 
Adjective
But this behavior ultimately seems more controlling than anything else.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2024
Insight initially invested in the startup’s $25 million round in 2017 and then acquired a controlling stake two years later for more than $780 million.
—Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024
Over two years later, in May 2024, Rigby was sentenced to 20 months in prison (suspended for two years) after pleading guilty to coercive and controlling behavior.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 13 Oct. 2024
The show’s other villains are its husbands and boyfriends, who are either very controlling or just downright shady.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for controlling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controlling
Adjective
-
He’s had something of a habit of playing domineering fathers, doing so on Ugly Betty (2006–2007) and as Charles Widmore on Lost (2006–2010).—
Sezin Devi Koehler,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
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The stress of being a loyal husband and father while toiling tirelessly at Spacely Space Sprockets – headed by a domineering man with a Napoleon complex – seems to float away as the zooming saucer-like aero cars with large bubble roofs leave behind popcorn-like residue from fuel pellets and radium.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Even the bed—a plush, temperature-regulating masterpiece—felt like it had been engineered specifically to cradle you into the best rest of your life.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
30 Dec. 2024
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On the other hand, if your social media app of choice elicits feelings of insufficiency, and self-control resources are burned up by exerting will power to avoid consuming products, or regulating hard emotions, than that experience is important to notice.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Gunfire ensued when Ratliff came out of the vault with a sack containing money.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
24 Dec. 2024
-
American fans have the opportunity to purchase seven different CD variants, all containing collectible items such as photocards, posters, stickers and trading cards.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The lawsuit alleges that the park’s ownership violated Florida’s laws governing mobile home evictions, including by raising rents within 90 days of issuing the notice to vacate and by not offering the homeowners’ association the first right of refusal to purchase the land.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The terms governing the use of the character are set out in a 71-page license agreement executive summary which was released in a 2014 hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE).—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
This agility is crucial for managing portfolio risks during market fluctuations and monitoring regulatory compliance in high-frequency trading.—
Piyush Ranjan,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Software programs use everything from virtual and augmented reality to artificial intelligence and machine learning to make the industry more efficient and effective at buying, selling, leasing and managing properties.—
Fred Battisti,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The imperial Presidency: Designs on Greenland, promises to take back the Panama Canal, threats of tariffs on countries ranging from Colombia to Taiwan—how did a President who once pledged isolationism become so grasping?—
Ian Crouch,
The New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2025
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Multiplied across numerous markets in every state, the LIHTC fuels more and more grasping for cash instead of reductions to make housing easier to create.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes,
6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Rodriguez did not realize yet that the barely cogent man was Scott Anderson, Club 33’s most notoriously outspoken member.—
Justine Harman,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2025
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Less a series of biographies and more a cogent analysis of the evolution of the role of first lady, this book provides an eminently readable introduction to the women who have filled this role.—
Kayla Randall,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Seriously, had our honorable horror maestro taken a terrible tumble while composing the latest Goosebumps book?—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes,
2 Jan. 2025
-
Consider using two hands to steady the monocular or use surrounding objects like fences or walls to lean against while composing your image.—
Matt Morris,
Space.com,
27 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near controlling
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controlling. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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