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
Cost-Inflicting: A Punitive Preventative Measure The converse of benefit-provisioning would be cost-inflicting behavior: where jealousy pushes you to become more controlling, punitive or manipulative.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
They have long since been known to be very controlling with video footage from tournament play.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
His controlling behavior has nothing to do with you and everything to do with his own insecurities.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025
Last July, Belk unloaded more than $950 million in debt and gave some lenders more controlling interests in the company.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
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Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
They have long since been known to be very controlling with video footage from tournament play.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
His controlling behavior has nothing to do with you and everything to do with his own insecurities.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025
Last July, Belk unloaded more than $950 million in debt and gave some lenders more controlling interests in the company.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controlling
Cite this Entry
“Controlling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controlling. Accessed 28 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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