control

[kənˈtrəʊl]

control Definition

• 1. the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events
• 2. the ability to manage or restrain one's own emotions or actions
• 3. a device or mechanism used to regulate or guide the operation of a machine, process, or system

Using control: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "control" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The government has control over the country's economy.

• Example

  She struggled to maintain control of her emotions during the argument.

• Example

  The car's cruise control keeps it at a constant speed on the highway.

control Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for control

• command
• authority
• power
• supervision
• dominance

Antonyms for control

• disorder
• chaos

Idioms Using control

• in control

  having the power or authority to direct or manage something

  Example

  She remained calm and in control during the crisis.

• take control

  assume responsibility for a situation and direct its course

  Example

  He had to take control of the company after the CEO resigned.

• lose control

  cease to have the power or ability to manage or restrain something

  Example

  She lost control of the car and crashed into a tree.

Phrases with control

• out of control

  unable to be managed or restrained

  Example

  The fire was out of control and spreading quickly.

• under control

  managed or restrained

  Example

  The situation is under control and there is no need to panic.

• control freak

  a person who feels an obsessive need to control situations and people

  Example

  He's such a control freak that he can't delegate any tasks to his employees.

Origins of control

from Old French 'contrerole', from medieval Latin 'contrarotulus', meaning 'a counter, register'

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Summary: control in Brief

The term 'control' [kənˈtrəʊl] refers to the power to influence or direct people's behavior or events, the ability to manage one's own emotions or actions, or a device used to regulate a machine or system. It can be exemplified by 'The government has control over the country's economy,' 'She struggled to maintain control of her emotions,' and 'The car's cruise control keeps it at a constant speed.' Phrases like 'out of control' and 'under control' denote unmanageable or restrained situations, while idioms like 'in control' and 'take control' refer to directing or managing a situation.