controlling
adjective
con·trol·ling
kən-ˈtrō-liŋ 
: inclined to control others' behavior : domineering
Examples of controlling in a Sentence
She is very strict and controlling.
The larger bank remained the controlling party when it took over the smaller banks.
He paid over 40 million dollars for a controlling interest in the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some in the user community—and 3D printing advocates broadly—are pushing back, suggesting the firm has other, more controlling motives.
—
Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 21 Jan. 2025
According to Callas, his management became more controlling than collaborative, though.
—Katie Mannion, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Micro-Management in Disguise Narcissistic bosses are often skilled at reframing their most controlling tendencies as virtues.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
In each case, the asset manager got 49% of the joint venture and Intel retained a controlling interest of 51%.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for controlling
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Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 21 Jan. 2025
According to Callas, his management became more controlling than collaborative, though.
—Katie Mannion, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Micro-Management in Disguise Narcissistic bosses are often skilled at reframing their most controlling tendencies as virtues.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
In each case, the asset manager got 49% of the joint venture and Intel retained a controlling interest of 51%.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controlling. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
controlling
adjective1
a
: exercising domination or influence
the controlling principles of law
b
: dispositive
judgment debtor's stipulation to pay a specified amount is not controlling—J. H. Friedenthal et al.
J. H. Friedenthal et al.2
: having controlling interest
controlling shareholders
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