control

To make a person, machine, or situation behave or work as you want.

• This button can control the lights.
• She controlled the car with one hand.
• He finds it hard to control his anger.

Similar words: manage, direct

Common phrases: control a machine, control someone, control your emotions, control a vehicle

To stop something from growing or spreading too much.

• We need to control costs.
• The medicine helped control the infection.
• How can farmers control pests without chemicals?

Similar words: limit, contain, restrain

Common phrases: control inflation, control costs, control the spread

The power or ability to decide what someone or something does.

• She has control over the team.
• He lost control of the car.
• Who is in control here?

How to use it: control over someone/something (She has control over the budget.); in control of something (He is in control of the project.); under control (The fire is now under control.)

Similar words: power, authority, command

Common phrases: take control, lose control, control over something, complete control

A button, switch, or other device used to make a machine work as you want.

• Turn the volume control down.
• The pilot checked the controls before takeoff.
• Where is the control for the heating?

Common phrases: volume control, remote control, control panel