CONTROL Synonyms: 219 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'control' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of control are authority , command , dominion , jurisdiction , power , and sway . While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," control stresses the power to direct and restrain. // you are responsible for the students under your control

Q: When can 'authority' be used instead of 'control'?

While in some cases nearly identical to control , authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits. // granted the authority to manage her estate

Q: In what contexts can 'command' take the place of 'control'?

The words command and control are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience. // the army officer in command

Q: When is 'dominion' a more appropriate choice than 'control'?

Although the words dominion and control have much in common, dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority. // given dominion over all the animals

Q: Where would 'jurisdiction' be a reasonable alternative to 'control'?

The meanings of jurisdiction and control largely overlap; however, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits. // the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

Q: When would 'power' be a good substitute for 'control'?

In some situations, the words power and control are roughly equivalent. However, power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence. // the power to mold public opinion

Q: When might 'sway' be a better fit than 'control'?

While the synonyms sway and control are close in meaning, sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence. // the empire extended its sway over the region

control 1 of 2

noun

Definition of control

as in power

the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in controller

a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in grasp

the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in management

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in ownership

the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal took control of the process of selecting candidates for the scholarship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

control

2 of 2

verb

kən-ˈtrōl

as in to regulate

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to contain

to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to govern

to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to manage

to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun control contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of control are authority, command, dominion, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When can authority be used instead of control?

While in some cases nearly identical to control, authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

In what contexts can command take the place of control?

The words command and control are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When is dominion a more appropriate choice than control?

Although the words dominion and control have much in common, dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

Where would jurisdiction be a reasonable alternative to control?

The meanings of jurisdiction and control largely overlap; however, jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

When would power be a good substitute for control?

In some situations, the words power and control are roughly equivalent. However, power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When might sway be a better fit than control?

While the synonyms sway and control are close in meaning, sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

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 control

Noun

Perez drove away, lost control of his vehicle, crashed into a ditch and didn’t call police to report the crash, according to the District Attorney’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Two students suffered serious injuries after allegedly being struck by crowd-control rounds fired by police. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

The problem is that the people who own and control the world don’t deserve to. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026 Those who provided the information declined to be identified for fear of retribution amid uncertainty over who controlled the city. — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for control

Recent Examples of Synonyms for control

Noun

Just ask the Taliban, now back in charge in Afghanistan after being driven from power.

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
That’s not to mention what could be a massively consequential midterm election, fueled by AI anxiety among voters, that could test the bounds of their power.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Noun

With the trigger held down, the controller did a good job monitoring changes in acceleration and countering the wagon’s speed to maintain my walking pace.

— Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
A week after that, a device – think of it as a controller – is implanted into his chest that connects to the electrodes.

— Kristine Johnson, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of controller

Noun

And for the first time, applicants for permanent residency will be evaluated based on their Japanese language skills as well as their grasp of rules and customs.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
She’s praised for her strong sense of story, as well as her grasp of power politics.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of grasp

Noun

While some financial advisors have asset minimums, others may charge one-time, hourly or monthly fees rather than a percentage for assets under management.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
That’s because bank stocks are particularly difficult to forecast, given that their performance depends heavily on macro factors rather than information that management might have about the company.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of management

Noun

They were found to sharply increase how long people continued to engage, but often for reasons of anger and curiosity, rather than enjoyment.

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Richardson discusses how his early fascination with science and his enjoyment of science fiction has influenced his poetry and considers the way his aphorisms counterbalance his more lyric poems.

— Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyment

Verb

In Congress, crypto companies are pushing for market-structure rules, AI firms are battling over how Washington will regulate their rapidly expanding industry, and sports-betting operators are confronting regulatory fights.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, is a synthetic peptide designed to mimic GLP-1, which helps regulate satiety.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

Bolsonaro, 45, is competing in his first and seeking to return his family name to power after his father governed Brazil from 2019 through 2022.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
The founding mayors lead cities including Atlanta, Jacksonville, Boise, Tulsa and Memphis -- governing more than 7 million Americans across 11 red and purple states, according to a memo for the new coalition.

— Isabella Murray, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of govern

Cite this Entry

Style

“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of control

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on control

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes