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Definition of controlling

controlling

/kənˈtroʊlɪŋ/
con · trol · ling

Adverb:controllingly
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Past Simple:controlled
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Past Participle:controlled
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Present Participle:controlling
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controlling Lexical Profile

controlling Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Inclined to dominate, manipulate, or dictate the behavior and decisions of other people in an overbearing manner.

Example

"She eventually ended the friendship because she grew tired of his overly controlling behavior."


2

Having the legal, financial, or institutional power to direct, govern, or make binding decisions (especially regarding corporate ownership or legal precedent).

Example

"The investment firm acquired a controlling interest in the technology company by purchasing fifty-one percent of its voting shares."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To determine the behavior or supervise the running of a person, organization, or system (present participle of control).

Example

"Air traffic specialists spend their shifts carefully controlling the flow of aircraft around the busy airport."


2

To limit, restrain, or hold in check the spread, intensity, or expression of something (present participle of control).

Example

"Firefighters worked through the night with the goal of controlling the wildfire before the winds shifted."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for controlling

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the verb 'control' plus the suffix '-ing'; 'control' entered English via Anglo-French 'contreroller', from Medieval Latin 'contrarotulare' ('to check by means of a duplicate register or roll').

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Controlling. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/controlling
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