self-control

[self-kuhn-trohl, self-]

noun

1. control or restraint of oneself or one's actions, feelings, etc.

   Synonyms: levelheadedness, willpower, self-restraint, self-discipline

self-control

noun

1. the ability to exercise restraint or control over one's feelings, emotions, reactions, etc

Other Word Forms

• self-controlled adjective
• self-controlling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-control¹

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

Senior executives initially balked, casting obesity as a problem of self-control and exercise rather than a disease amenable to medication.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Penelope was deeply impressed; straightaway she wanted to reward the wolves for their superb self-control.

Read more on Literature

Rather than criticising yourself about your lack of self-control, focusing on being more intentional about when we pick up our devices can be more effective, according to one psychologist.

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The loss of self-control embarrassed him—he preferred not to talk about it—and he was deeply relieved when the attacks became less frequent and less severe.

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"There was no rule that you had to reinvest your earnings, but I suppose we were just too weak to resist. They just pumped up our dreams… until we lost all self-control, all critical judgment."

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Related Words

• dignity 
• discretion 
• poise 
• restraint 
• reticence 
• self-discipline 
• sobriety 
• stoicism