self-control

American  

[self-kuhn-trohl, self-] / ˈsɛlf kənˈtroʊl, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   levelheadedness, willpower, self-restraint, self-discipline

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self-control British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• self-controlled adjective
• self-controlling adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-control

First recorded in 1705–15

Compare meaning

How does self-control compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• self-control vs. self-discipline

Example Sentences

Mr. Sheehan explains that Christian history is not a story of autonomy, a notion of self-control he borrows from Kant’s ethics.

From The Wall Street Journal

To measure capability, the study assessed couples’ capacity for self-control.

From MarketWatch

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From 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.

From BBC

Related Words

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