1
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
toddlers have very little self-control
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
she could be passionate and intense, but generally exercised steely self-control in the company of strangers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-control
Researchers found that people who accepted their emotions while watching a sad video performed better on a later self-control task than those who tried to suppress their emotions.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
That means making sure the youngster can demonstrate enough self-control that allows the educational process to function.
—Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
In America, self-control is framed as a personal choice — a way to get in shape or prove mental toughness before indulging again.
—Julie Cobalt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
For example, humility, self-awareness, self-control, moral sensitivity, social skills, emotional intelligence, kindness, prosocial and moral orientation, are all statistically more likely to be found in women than men.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
That means making sure the youngster can demonstrate enough self-control that allows the educational process to function.
—Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
In America, self-control is framed as a personal choice — a way to get in shape or prove mental toughness before indulging again.
—Julie Cobalt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
For example, humility, self-awareness, self-control, moral sensitivity, social skills, emotional intelligence, kindness, prosocial and moral orientation, are all statistically more likely to be found in women than men.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
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The chance that American attacks on Houthis could prompt attacks on Saudi Arabia and a renewal of the kingdom’s brutal war in Yemen was a chief concern of the Biden administration, a prime reason that White House operated with a degree of restraint in its strikes on Houthi targets.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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Sullivan, 56, was charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons and first-degree reckless endangerment.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In 2016, a study published in the International Journal of Educational Management found that school uniforms encourage better listening and discipline in the classroom.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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My business colleagues, clients, veteran brothers and sisters, Masonic brothers and an assortment of consultants bring varying degrees of wisdom, camaraderie, discipline and expertise.—
James DiNardo,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Those raising awareness of the Arabic Facebook posts feel no such inhibition.—
Ben Sales,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Mar. 2025
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However, there are widespread inhibitions against the use of fast chargers, as they’re widely believed to reduce the total lifespan of an EV battery – although there is currently little data to support the theory.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The decision was also a relief for the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans living in the United States who were grappling with the uncertainty of returning to a country where many of them could face political persecution and repression from Nicolas Maduro’s government.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
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Authoritarian organizations do not yield gracefully and usually react with violent repression.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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