SELF-COMMAND Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

self-command

noun

ˌself-kə-ˈmand

Definition of self-command

as in restraint

the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others a witness practicing remarkable self-command under intense questioning by several members of Congress

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in temperance

the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions an aloof man of great self-command but little charm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 self-command He was shaped in San Antonio by an environment that demanded alertness, self-command, and the ability to read the room quickly. — Matt Emma, USA Today, 13 May 2026 In his mind, the army was not a caste apart but an instrument of the republic – an arena in which self-command and civic virtue were tested. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-command

Noun

What can be done to put our leader in some kind of restraint?

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
The dire time restraints were real, along with the contentious Zoom meetings or phone calls that have taken place over the past five months.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of restraint

Noun

Hostile takeovers and leveraged buyouts in the 1980s enforced the new discipline.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
For three years, Chicago police officers accused of serious misconduct have had to sit and wait for the Illinois Supreme Court to decide the future of officer discipline.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of discipline

Noun

Chef—the character is nameless, and seemingly unknowable—is a mentor and a foil to Tony, his lined face and graying beard highlighting Tony’s youth, his composure framing Tony’s jittery ambition.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Morgan got out of the way and regain composure just for a moment.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of composure

Noun

Fleeing an economic crisis and political repression back home, many Venezuelans have risked their lives on treacherous journeys to reach the US.

— Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Although David’s use of psychotherapeutic ideas is self-destructive, Baldwin uses psychoanalytic concepts, particularly repression, in this and other works.

— Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of repression

Noun

Put inhibitions aside to experience the latest episode of Doc Talk, hosted by John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley), and Matt Carey, Deadline’s senior documentary editor.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Darkness removes that inhibition and allows the pineal gland to release melatonin.

— Sally Ibrahim, The Conversation, 23 June 2026

Definition of inhibition

Noun

The number of Southern European fires and amount of land burned had decreased quite a bit from the 1980s to 2018, mostly because of better fire suppression and management techniques, Cordero said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Mash Dogs at 5248 Democracy Drive closed for cleanup July 24 after the hood fire suppression system was activated and fire retardant landed on surrounding surfaces.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026