CONTROLS Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

controls 1 of 2

noun

plural of control

as in controllers

a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked

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Relevance

as in hands

the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in operations

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

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as in powers

the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

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controls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of control

as in regulates

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

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as in contains

to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

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as in rules

to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

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as in operates

to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

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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 controls

Noun

Age verifications and parental controls come with notorious loopholes. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 Recent incidents, like OpenAI's models bypassing controls and Anthropic's models accessing real systems, underscore this threat. — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 More than 20 vendors are expected, along with additional food, games, performances and improved line and safety controls. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 According to the listing, the interior has wood floors, tongue-and-groove knotty pine accents, granite countertops, Lutron lighting controls and two gas fireplaces. — Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026 If those systems contain weak authorization controls, capable agents may find them. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 The steering-wheel controls return to tactile thumbwheels rather than the touch-sensitive arrangement that was, to put it politely, a solution in search of a problem. — New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026 The Canadian hemlock wood looks clean and substantial, and the heating panels, wiring, controls, lighting, and speakers are all neatly integrated. — Evan Russum, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026 Self Simulated is an obstacle-course platformer that recalls Super Meat Boy, but it's held back by controls that aren't nearly as tight and frustratingly large instant-kill hit boxes. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026

Verb

Listing a token requires continuous, audited disclosure of who controls the supply and how the asset actually works. — Michael Faulkender, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026 Hezbollah is the terrorist group that controls much of Lebanon, which borders Israel. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026 During an operation, a surgeon controls robotic arms fitted with small instruments while viewing the surgical area through a three-dimensional vision system. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 Trump has increasingly used his animosity toward the press to seek action by the FCC, which controls broadcast licensing. — Jeff Mason, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 General shareholders meeting could be crucial Reuters said at a general shareholders meeting, unions have no vote, and Lower Saxony controls 20%. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 That would more than double the 46 billion barrels in oil reserves that the United States already controls, according to the EIA. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 For 14 days, Talwani agreed to halt enforcement of several key provisions of the Postal Service's rule for the upcoming elections, which will determine which party controls the House and Senate. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Add to this yesterday’s sales report from Pernod Ricard, the company that controls major brands like Jameson Irish whiskey, Absolut Vodka, Martell Cognac, and Jefferson’s Bourbon. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controls

Noun

Everything in the system—the derailleur, the controllers, and the motor—takes power from a single removable battery.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
Although flight controllers managed to slow Link’s tumble, issues continued to plague its pointing and positioning in orbit.

— Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of controllers

Noun

That afternoon, the president, inside the exposition’s ornate Temple of Music, greeted members of the public, shaking hands and warmly inviting them to explore the fair.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Mendoza threw high to Jalen Nailor on his second play, and the ball popped into the air into the hands of San Francisco linebacker Tatum Bethune for an interception.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hands

Noun

Managers guide a roster constructed by their general manager or head of baseball operations.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Organizations need security operations capable of correlating multiple attack vectors, responding at machine speed and continuously learning from attacks occurring far beyond the walls of any single enterprise.

— Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of operations

Noun

This is viewed as part of his decentralization agenda, aiming to transfer powers in areas such as skills training and select tax authorities from London to local combined authorities.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The Quorum Court voted in August 2023 to strip certain powers from the Saline County Library Board and increase the county's direct control over the library system.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of powers

Verb

Niacinamide — a multi-functional ingredient that strengthens the skin barrier, regulates oil production, and calms and fades discoloration — is also in the mix.

— Claudia Fisher, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
There’s also research that indicates microplastics cause disruptions to our endocrine system, which regulates our hormones.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of regulates

Verb

Although the book contains a disclaimer saying some facts were changed, Palal argued that names, hotels and other details changed while the central account did not.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Seed butter contains nutrients naturally found in the whole seed, including protein, fiber, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of contains

Verb

Robinson, who is currently in state prison, will remain in custody at least until a judge rules on his custody status at a hearing, Wagstaffe said.

— Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
And merchant readiness, so offers carry the stock, price and rules an agent can read and act on instantly.

— Lital Marom, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of rules

Verb

Beauty, where product development operates at warp speed comparatively, the beauty executive knows which categories can be fast-tracked to market and which need more time.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Both were familiar with the Plaza’s owners, the company which owns and operates Dallas’s historic high-end shopping district, Highland Park Village.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026