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- pronunciation:
- kn
trol
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: |
transitive verb |
inflections: |
controls, controlling, controlled |
definition 1: |
to exercise the power to regulate, dominate, or manipulate; command.
You'll have to learn to control your dog.The country was controlled by the military during those years.- synonyms:
- command, direct, dominate, lead, manage, oversee, regulate, rule
- similar words:
- administer, boss, domineer, govern, guide, influence, manipulate, restrain, ride roughshod over, subjugate, subordinate, superintend, supervise, sway
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definition 2: |
to hold within limits; restrain.
He could not control his anger any longer, and he began shouting at the clerk.- synonyms:
- check, contain, curb, govern, guide, hold, limit, rein in, restrain, restrict, stop, subdue
- similar words:
- bridle, chasten, constrain, determine, harness, hinder, impede, leash, master, repress, suppress, withhold
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definition 3: |
to stop the growth or spread of.
Attempts to control the disease have failed.The farmers use chemicals to control insects and other pests.- synonyms:
- confine, contain, curb, limit, rein in, restrain, restrict, stop
- similar words:
- constrain, harness, prevent, suppress
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definition 4: |
to assure the validity of by providing a means of comparison, esp. in scientific research.
He controlled the experiment with subjects who were given a placebo.- similar words:
- corroborate, validate, verify
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related words: |
conduct, direct, discipline, enslave, enthrall, handle, head, inhibit, keep, lead, mesmerize, occupy, oversee, pace, possess, push, restrict, ride, rule, seize, stay, tame, work |
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part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
the power or authority to control someone or something.
The Americans took control of Guam after the war.It was a struggle to keep control over the unruly students.- synonyms:
- authority, command, direction, domination, jurisdiction, management, mastery, power, regulation, rule
- similar words:
- charge, constraint, disposal, disposition, governance, government, hindrance, leash, restraint, restriction, say, supervision, sway
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definition 2: |
the state or condition of being controlled.
The car spun out of control.- synonyms:
- bondage, captivity, restriction, slavery, subjugation
- similar words:
- confinement, constraint, hindrance, restraint
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definition 3: |
a means of comparison, esp. in scientific experiments.
Without controls, there is no way to evaluate the results of the study.- similar words:
- constant
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definition 4: |
(often pl.) a device or set of devices for operating or guiding a vehicle or other machinery.
The co-pilot was at the controls when the plane suddenly lost altitude.- synonyms:
- dials, instrument panel, switches
- similar words:
- adjustment, buttons, dashboard, gauges, gears, handles, instruments, knobs, levers
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definition 5: |
a means of stopping or preventing the growth or spread of something undesirable.
pest controldisease control- synonyms:
- check, curb, damper, regulator, restrainer, restraint
- similar words:
- bit, block, brake, bridle, ceiling, constraint, harness, hindrance, leash, limitation, obstruction, rein, restriction
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related words: |
bond, care, check, clutch, coercion, command, compulsion, console, curb, custody, government, grasp, influence, jurisdiction, lap, monopoly, order, possession, power, pull |
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derivations: |
controllable (adj.), controlled (adj.), controllably (adv.) |
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