Synonyms of controlling

controlling 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in domineering

Related Words

• domineering
• grasping
• possessive
• demanding
• jealous
• envious
• protective
• invidious
• covetous
• distrustful
• overprotective
• jaundiced
• suspicious
• mistrustful

Dissimilar Words

• permissive
• undemanding
• understanding
• tolerant
• trusting
• trustful
• tolerating

2

as in dominating

Related Words

• dominating
• cogent
• dominant
• influential
• predominant
• masterful
• authoritative
• forceful
• sovereign
• supreme
• weighty
• eminent
• important
• regnant
• momentous

Dissimilar Words

• weak
• helpless
• unable
• powerless
• incapable
• impotent

controlling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of control

1

as in regulating

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)

you must learn to control your temper

Synonyms & Similar Words

• regulating
• curbing
• containing
• keeping
• restraining
• measuring
• suppressing
• governing
• taming
• inhibiting
• stifling
• holding
• checking
• constraining
• ruling
• stopping
• pulling in
• bridling
• interrupting
• swallowing
• repressing
• reining (in)
• smothering
• impeding
• blocking
• strangling
• hindering
• arresting
• hampering
• holding back
• choking (back)
• obstructing
• silencing
• sinking
• squelching
• bottling (up)
• mincing
• muffling
• pocketing
• handcuffing
• muzzling
• gagging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• losing
• loosening
• liberating
• expressing
• venting
• unleashing
• taking out
• loosing
• airing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• containing
• composing
• calming
• restraining
• collecting
• settling
• re-collecting
• holding back
• recovering
• rallying
• quieting
• soothing
• lulling
• tranquilizing
• stilling

3

as in governing

to exercise authority or power over

circumstances often control the choices we make in life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• governing
• ruling
• dominating
• dictating
• managing
• commanding
• domineering
• swaying
• presiding (over)
• administering
• overseeing
• regulating
• leading
• bossing
• captaining
• supervising
• conducting
• directing
• oppressing
• mastering
• heading
• superintending
• micromanaging
• conquering
• subduing
• subjugating
• reigning (over)
• tyrannizing
• lording (it over)

4

as in managing

to look after and make decisions about

during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• managing
• supervising
• operating
• regulating
• overseeing
• handling
• conducting
• governing
• running
• keeping
• directing
• guiding
• administering
• protecting
• tending
• superintending
• administrating
• presiding (over)
• carrying on
• overlooking
• watching over
• steering
• leading
• stewarding
• watching
• safeguarding
• guarding
• piloting
• caring (for)
• minding
• micromanaging
• stage-managing
• comanaging
• codirecting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of controlling

Adjective

According to those close to the family, József was extremely controlling and would often make terrifying threats. — Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026

Instead of The Expanse’s sprawling epic of humanity’s journey to the stars, The Captive’s War sees humans brought under the thumb of a ruthlessly controlling alien empire and struggling to resist, build lives and maybe even find a way to win. — Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026

Verb

The two met through mutual friends, but Thomas says in the documentary that the relationship quickly became controlling and scary. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Fights over the oceans are not limited to controlling transit. — Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026