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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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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Maryland’s budget process is designed to promote transparency and fiscal restraint.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
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The verdict signals that prolonged prone restraint during mental health crises is dangerous, potentially changing how juvenile detention centers handle distressed teens.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As the discipline grew in popularity, Warren’s students began to take home trophies from tournaments across the country and internationally.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Winter Olympics are in full swing in Italy, and athletes from 93 countries are competing in 16 disciplines across eight sports.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One of Lamont’s unacknowledged strengths is his public composure and innate courtesy in an era when escalating vulgarity in politics shows an ugly American face to us and the world.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
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The ride strikes a fine balance between composure and comfort.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Both of these groups included dissidents, victims of the ever-tightening repression.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
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Students founded the Otpor movement in Serbia in 1998 to resist the regime’s repression of universities.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Lepley studies how muscles of the upper leg shut down after a knee injury — a process called muscle inhibition.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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In the brain scans of other extreme athletes and adrenaline junkies, Amen said there’s often lower baseline activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in fear inhibition, impulse control and risk evaluation.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Officials outlined a Preferential Trade Zone with price floors intended to stabilize markets battered by oversupply and price suppression.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
7 Feb. 2026
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Quinton Byfield, center, C+ Byfield’s totals extrapolate to 16 goals and 44 points, with noticeable suppression of his underlying numbers.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-command.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-command. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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