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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-control
Though it's most commonly observed in people with ADHD, Sarkis said, time blindness can manifest in anyone with impairment in executive functions stemming from the frontal lobe area of their brain, which is responsible for personality, judgment, self-control and more.
—
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 30 June 2025
These areas are important for social behavior, emotion, and self-control.
—New Atlas, 26 June 2025
Research shows that insufficient sleep disrupts hunger signals, weakens self-control, impairs glucose metabolism and increases your risk of weight gain.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 16 June 2025
At many crucial moments (including in Lucy and Harry’s first few dates), this stillness is established with the natural cool of self-control and professionalism and then veers into an astonishing near-sculptural artifice.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 30 June 2025
These areas are important for social behavior, emotion, and self-control.
—New Atlas, 26 June 2025
Research shows that insufficient sleep disrupts hunger signals, weakens self-control, impairs glucose metabolism and increases your risk of weight gain.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 16 June 2025
At many crucial moments (including in Lucy and Harry’s first few dates), this stillness is established with the natural cool of self-control and professionalism and then veers into an astonishing near-sculptural artifice.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-control
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-control
Noun
-
In the second photo, the animals are freed of their restraints — one of the pets is crawling about the bin while the other stays in its shell.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
24 July 2025
-
Unlike the Washington consensus, which mandated fiscal austerity and economic restraint, Silicon Valley’s calls for unprecedented investment and acceleration.—
Arafat Kabir,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Share Your Commitments With Others Share your commitments to drive discipline.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
The letter said the investigation was ending without issuing any findings or conclusions of wrongdoing, and without imposing any discipline or penalty on Davidai.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Before the month comes to a close, Mercury will station retrograde in Leo, activating your 12th house of secrets, surrender and your subconscious, bringing up old memories or inhibitions that have been clouding your clarity.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 July 2025
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Reservations and inhibitions have a way of slipping away in the Snake Pit.—
Shari Rudavsky,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
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The Bukele administration has unleashed a wave of repression over the past few months.—
Andrea Salcedo,
NPR,
17 July 2025
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And how Russian composers, those who stayed and those who left, dealt with militarism, nationalism and the threat of repression has never felt more relevant.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-control.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-control. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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