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control

/kənˈtɹoʊl/noun, verb2 syllables

Control means: be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something.

Synonyms for control44

noun, as in the state that exists when one person or group has power over another

dominance, ascendance, ascendence, ascendancy, ascendency

noun, as in great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity

noun, as in a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment

control condition

noun, as in discipline in personal and social activities

noun, as in a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine

verb, as in be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

see, check, insure, see to it, ensure, ascertain, assure, determine, find out, watch, learn, check off, mark, mark off, tick off, tick, verify

verb, as in check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard

verb, as in lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits

verb, as in handle and cause to function

verb, as in maintain influence over (others or oneself) skillfully, usually to one's advantage

manipulate, keep in line

verb, as in have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of

verb, as in exercise authoritative control or power over

verb, as in place under restrictions; limit access to by law

also used for control

besteer, bewield, manage, puppeteer, rule, govern, widget

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What does control mean?20

verb

1

be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something“He verified that the valves were closed”

2

check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard“Are you controlling for the temperature?”

3

lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits“moderate your alcohol intake”

4

handle and cause to function“do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol”

5

maintain influence over (others or oneself) skillfully, usually to one's advantage“She manipulates her boss”

6

have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of“Do you control these data?”

7

exercise authoritative control or power over“control the budget”

8

place under restrictions; limit access to by law“this substance is controlled”

9

verify by using a duplicate register for comparison“control an account”

noun

1

the state that exists when one person or group has power over another“her apparent dominance of her husband was really her attempt to make him pay attention to her”

2

great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity“a good command of French”

3

a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment“the control condition was inappropriate for the conclusions he wished to draw”

4

discipline in personal and social activities“he was a model of polite restraint”

5

a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine“the speed controller on his turntable was not working properly”

6

power to direct or determine“under control”

7

a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or group) by another“measures for the control of disease”

8

(physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or action or reflex etc“the timing and control of his movements were unimpaired”

9

the activity of managing or exerting control over something“the control of the mob by the police was admirable”

10

a spiritual agency that is assumed to assist the medium during a seance

11

the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.“they wanted to repeal all the legislation that imposed economic controls”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with control?24

Show 40 near rhymes

All 24 rhymes for control, grouped by syllable

Control in a sentence

  • You used a condom for birth control, right?fcbond
  • The horsepower of a car matters not, with a donkey in control.mangodurian
  • The gang leader made all the members toe the line, keeping control through fear.unknown
  • When politicians give the impression that they don't control the situation, markets get nervous.belgavox
  • The robots will gain control one day, be sure of that.gone2bacolod
  • Due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to postpone the meeting.shadyray601
  • With so much damage to the wing, the pilot can't control the plane.Amastan
  • Aerodynamic surfaces are used to control the aircraft in roll, pitch, and yaw.Hybrid

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of control

as a noun

plural
controls

as a verb

past tense
controlled
present participle
controlling
third-person singular
controls
past participle
controlled