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

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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

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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

Folsom’s order keeping the grace period in effect concluded that plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their constitutional challenge of the law because arbitrarily disenfranchise voters due to mail delays beyond their control. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 That the ambition existed at all underlines how the two most powerful bodies in world football are wrapped up in a forever war for the economic and political control of the global game. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Verb

Mercury will also make opposition to Pluto, which can also shed light on who or what’s been controlling the narrative around money. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 This portable treadmill is super compact, turning any room into your personal walking track, with a maximum speed of 3 mph controlled via remote and an adjustable incline of 5% or 7%. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for control

Recent Examples of Synonyms for control

Noun

Xi came to power after the 2008 protests in Tibet and deadly unrest in Xinjiang, another frontier region of modern China where ethnic minorities have long chafed under Beijing’s rule and witnessed a huge security crackdown.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Ultimately, both sides are jockeying for power after the war, given the unusual uncertainty brought on by the change in the supreme leadership.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

Noun

Court records show that in early 2022, Arbuckle managed a team of more than 20 and helped forecast loan demand across major sectors of the bank, including corporate, commercial, wealth management and small-business banking.

— Chase Jordan July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Maritime risk-management company Marisks on Wednesday said the affected vessels were moved outside the port.

— Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of management

Noun

Beyond ski-in-ski-out access during the winter months, even though this 8,000-square-foot home has its own private gondola, this residence was built for year-round enjoyment.

— Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Still, full-size luxury sedans define the enjoyment of driving.

— James Raia, Mercury News, 26 July 2026

Definition of enjoyment

Verb

Eden Housing plans to build a four- or five-story building containing 50 to 60 units of affordable housing for seniors at the site, said Charles Liuzzo, Eden’s director of real estate development.

— Theresa Clift July 29, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
All told, the guiding strategic defense principle contained in the handbook tends to be reactive rather than proactive.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

The move has triggered fierce opposition from UEFA, which governs soccer in Europe, and CONCACAF, which governs soccer in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
The law is slated to take effect January 25, 2027, with the rules that will govern compliance now in place.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of govern

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“Control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/control. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of control

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