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

It would take several years to run the randomized controlled trial that the FDA is demanding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The reconstituted group largely abandoned the framework, allowing the committee to judge evidence of dubious quality alongside large randomized controlled trials.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Getting to “go on the computer” was an opportunity for entertainment, yes, but it was also a chance to learn in a fun, controlled environment.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

This is especially true for "conflict zones, disasters and other restricted environments where reporters cannot safely access the scene or where information is tightly controlled", he said.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

My life had for the last half hour been completely controlled by a horse, two coyotes, a roadrunner, and a jackrabbit.

From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

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