1
as in domineering
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Dissimilar Words
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
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
Yet another was a forum for people who, like me, had left a highly controlling religious denomination.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Berlanti Productions is currently under an overall deal at WBTV, with the studio controlling the rights to the Hanna-Barbera characters.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Adjective
Rousseau is a notoriously controlling and meticulous leader, obsessed with optics and strict about the physical fitness of his members.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
Yet another was a forum for people who, like me, had left a highly controlling religious denomination.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
The systems for safety, driver assistance, controlling the vehicle, are so sophisticated and there’s so much software in the vehicles that are sensing devices.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Berlanti Productions is currently under an overall deal at WBTV, with the studio controlling the rights to the Hanna-Barbera characters.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controlling
Adjective
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The new biopic of Jackson from director Antoine Fuqua and the Jackson estate paints the gloved one as the one true victim — a harmless Peter Pan figure whose own childhood was snatched away by a domineering father.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Joseph has a cruel and domineering air about him.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
27 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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At the local level, laws and practices regulating gun dealers can vary widely from city to city.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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In much the same way, the government could pass new laws regulating AI firms’ commercial activities.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Leaving Italy for Paris, Jarmusch said the Italian equivalent of TSA had asked him what was in the box containing his Golden Lion.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Ceasar Mitchell, an attorney representing KMT, told the DAFC board that Council member Linda Pritchett, who represents the district containing the Project Mapco site, wrote a letter in support of the tax break.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Commission is comprised of 13 commissioners who are appointed for terms of up to 5 years by the governor general on the advice of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, whose authority is exercised by the federal Cabinet of the governing party in the Canadian Parliament.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Adams, who finished fourth in the crowded Democratic primary for mayor in 2025, added that women, in her experience, take a noticeably different approach to governing than men.—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stafford is 38 and managing degenerative back issues.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Micky Arison is listed as managing general partner.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Apes, on the other hand, have much flatter, more grasping feet, indicating that they’re better suited for climbing than for repetitive ground contact.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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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
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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Plenty had their say, but one of the clearest and most cogent responses came from Seedorf.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controlling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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