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

Another partner, Emily, not her real name, says Adusah controlled every aspect of her life.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

On Saturday, Iran continued to insist on state media that its armed forces controlled the strategic waterway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Republicans have controlled the lower chamber since 2003 and currently hold 88 of its 150 seats.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

“If transit is funneled through a smaller, controlled portion of the strait, you’re not stopping barrels, but you are constraining them — creating friction and likely reducing overall throughput.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Steve Druskin was becoming more involved in the market—and couldn’t believe how controlled it was.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

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