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

"Maintaining a healthy diet in today's food environment requires constant effort and self-control," said lead author Charlotte Hagerman, PhD, of the Oregon Research Institute.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

Holding back a child can be a good option to allow children extra time to develop self-control and self-regulation skills vital for the classroom, said Stanford professor Thomas Dee, who has studied red-shirting.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Given the attention-sucking power of mainstream devices and software, "this is not about self-control anymore," Tang added.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

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 • Jan. 25, 2026

Case in point: at this very moment, it’s taking every ounce of self-control not to stare wistfully at Abby.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Related Words

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