self-mastery
noun
self-mas·tery
ˌself-ˈmas-t(ə-)rē 
: the ability to control one's own desires or impulses : self-control, self-discipline
However, I realized the wisdom of Rooke's advice, and went away by myself to get over my anger and reacquire my self-mastery.—
Bram Stoker
Bram StokerSelf-esteem that is not backed by self-mastery becomes narcissism.—Gracie Bonds Staples
Gracie Bonds StaplesExamples of self-mastery in a Sentence
she had remarkable self-mastery for one so young
Recent Examples on the Web
The moral life, writes Murdoch, is not about self-mastery in the crucible of moral struggle.
—
Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
Hemingway, who championed self-mastery, gave the old fisherman in his novella exactly one consolation out there alone in the Gulf Stream, the thought of the great DiMaggio, who did everything perfectly even with the bone spur in his heel.
—
Anthony Scaramucci,
Fortune,
28 June 2026
These quiet, everyday lessons from grandfathers profoundly shape future leaders, emphasizing human connection, resilience, generosity, and self-mastery.
—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
In this particular case, the sun in Gemini’s curiosity and clever thinking gets the support from Saturn in Aries, which brings discipline and a level of self-mastery.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Life is for learning; self-mastery is a process.
—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Past mistakes are the greatest university ever, harvest their full value for a PhD in self-mastery.
—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Jan. 2026
Those who mastered these high summits did so by first achieving self-mastery, reaching through prayer and meditation a higher realm of almost superhuman awareness and power.
—
Chandrahas Choudhury,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 July 2024
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Meghan O’Gieblyn,
Harpers Magazine,
30 June 2026
Hemingway, who championed self-mastery, gave the old fisherman in his novella exactly one consolation out there alone in the Gulf Stream, the thought of the great DiMaggio, who did everything perfectly even with the bone spur in his heel.
—
Anthony Scaramucci,
Fortune,
28 June 2026
These quiet, everyday lessons from grandfathers profoundly shape future leaders, emphasizing human connection, resilience, generosity, and self-mastery.
—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
In this particular case, the sun in Gemini’s curiosity and clever thinking gets the support from Saturn in Aries, which brings discipline and a level of self-mastery.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Life is for learning; self-mastery is a process.
—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Past mistakes are the greatest university ever, harvest their full value for a PhD in self-mastery.
—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Jan. 2026
Those who mastered these high summits did so by first achieving self-mastery, reaching through prayer and meditation a higher realm of almost superhuman awareness and power.
—
Chandrahas Choudhury,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Self-mastery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-mastery. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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