1
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
a witness practicing remarkable self-command under intense questioning by several members of Congress
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in temperance
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
an aloof man of great self-command but little charm
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of self-command
In his mind, the army was not a caste apart but an instrument of the republic – an arena in which self-command and civic virtue were tested.
—
Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-command
Noun
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Hegseth came out of his own service, in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the seeming conviction that what had stood in the way of a fuller victory in those wars had been the restraints supposedly placed on how soldiers could kill.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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In a culture that rewards fast takes, that kind of restraint is rare.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These early routines introduced him to the discipline and rhythms of business.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Oftentimes, it is seen as some sort of precious art form, maybe something in the realm of ballet that requires real discipline.—
Emma Forgione,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
John is, as ever, at ease in front of the cameras, while Carolyn struggles to maintain composure.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
When Kotb asked how Guthrie reacted to seeing images of the abductor taken from Ring camera footage, Guthrie worked hard to keep her composure.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One effect of this austerity and repression is to focus attention on Albee’s language, with its slippery banalities and barbs.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
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The state responded with the repression of protesters, followed by a consolidation of the security apparatus – particularly the expanding influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps around the supreme leader.—
Roxane Razavi,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Each spring, otherwise reasonable home cooks lose all inhibitions at the first sight of ramps at the farmers market.—
Kelly Vaughan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
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Metallica plays on the stereo while Garcia and Huerta operate like two rock stars with no inhibitions in the kitchen.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At least 80% of voters support photo ID, polling that Republicans have repeatedly pointed to as the Senate debates the SAVE America Act, an election bill that Democrats claim is an attempt at voter suppression.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
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Use the cardboard method as your baseline weed suppression across garden beds, then spot-treat any weeds that push through with the vinegar spray.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-command.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-command. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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