controlled

American  

[kuhn-trohld] / kənˈtroʊld /

adjective

1. held in check; curbed.

   poorly controlled anger.

2. carefully regulated, tested, or verified.

   a controlled experiment.

3. (of a drug) restricted by law as to possession and use.

   Morphine is a controlled drug.

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Etymology

Origin of controlled

First recorded in 1580–90; control ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

Something that's controlled is kept in check or restrained. Your controlled laughter in math class won't get you in trouble, because it's muted and calm. Some people really blow their stacks when they get angry, while others express a controlled anger, calmly explaining their frustration. The ability to keep your emotions controlled is a useful one. A different meaning of controlled is "restricted by law," — many medications and drugs are classified as "controlled substances. The root of both controlled and control is the Latin contrarotulus, "a register, counter, or record of something."

Example Sentences

Carvana is controlled by its chief executive, Ernie Garcia III, and his father, DriveTime owner Ernie Garcia II. It became an independent, public company in 2017.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

OpenAI later turned its for-profit business into a public-benefit corporation, known as a B Corp, controlled by its nonprofit arm.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

It allows damaged or dangerous cells to die in a controlled way without triggering inflammation in nearby tissue.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2026

Opponents Oxford might not have been fancied before kick-off, but they controlled the game, scored twice, and earned their place in the Championship.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Jam controlled her face as he looked at her.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi

Related Words

• measured
• ordered
• orderly
• organized
• structured
• supervised