executive control
noun
psychology
: the ability to carry out goal-directed behavior using complex mental processes and cognitive abilities (such as working memory and impulse inhibition)
… the prefrontal cortex, which is known to be involved in a range of high-level, executive control processes …—
Alison Motluk
compare executive function
Alison MotlukExamples of executive control in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That decision upheld the president's authority to fire the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency without cause, reinforcing executive control over agencies typically considered independent.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Studies have shown that creative thinking involves the interplay between the brain's executive control network, which is responsible for focus, and the default mode network, which is associated with imagination and mind-wandering.
—Jennifer Kite-Powell, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Orbán also packed the Constitutional Court with loyalist judges and created special administrative courts directly under executive control.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025
Since taking office, Trump has moved aggressively to reshape the federal bureaucracy, slashing jobs, consolidating agencies, and asserting unprecedented executive control.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Night vision, adaptive air ride suspension, head up display, and an executive control screen between the two rear captains chairs allows passengers to control climate, radio, and more.
—Scotty Reiss, Parents, 6 Feb. 2025
Trump will officially take over executive control of the country amid highly choreographed ceremonies on Jan. 20, which coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025
When the film’s content was difficult to follow or more ambiguous like during Inception, activity was heightened in executive control brain regions.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
Now exercising sole executive control, Tokayev has moved quickly to demonstrate his understanding of the public mood.
—Nargis Kassenova, Foreign Affairs, 18 Jan. 2022
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Studies have shown that creative thinking involves the interplay between the brain's executive control network, which is responsible for focus, and the default mode network, which is associated with imagination and mind-wandering.
—Jennifer Kite-Powell, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Orbán also packed the Constitutional Court with loyalist judges and created special administrative courts directly under executive control.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025
Since taking office, Trump has moved aggressively to reshape the federal bureaucracy, slashing jobs, consolidating agencies, and asserting unprecedented executive control.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Night vision, adaptive air ride suspension, head up display, and an executive control screen between the two rear captains chairs allows passengers to control climate, radio, and more.
—Scotty Reiss, Parents, 6 Feb. 2025
Trump will officially take over executive control of the country amid highly choreographed ceremonies on Jan. 20, which coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025
When the film’s content was difficult to follow or more ambiguous like during Inception, activity was heightened in executive control brain regions.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
Now exercising sole executive control, Tokayev has moved quickly to demonstrate his understanding of the public mood.
—Nargis Kassenova, Foreign Affairs, 18 Jan. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Executive control.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20control. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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