Meaning & use
controlled
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Kept within set limits or managed by rules, so that it does not go beyond what is allowed or intended.
Grammar: Usually before a noun: a controlled experiment, controlled conditions.
The scientists tested the drug in a controlled experiment.
The fire was set in a controlled burn to protect the forest.
Prices in the city are tightly controlled.
adjectivecomparable
Calm and in command of your feelings, not letting them show in an uncontrolled way.
Grammar: Can be used before a noun or after a linking verb: a controlled voice; he was controlled.
She gave a controlled answer despite her anger.
His controlled breathing helped him stay calm.
The skater's movements were precise and controlled.
Word forms
| comparative | more controlled |
|---|---|
| superlative | most controlled |
Common combinations
- controlled experiment
- A controlled experiment compares two groups under the same conditions.
- controlled environment
- The seeds grew in a controlled environment.
- controlled substance
- The doctor prescribed a controlled substance.
- tightly controlled
- Access to the building is tightly controlled.
- calm and controlled
- The pilot sounded calm and controlled on the radio.
- controlled explosion
- Experts carried out a controlled explosion of the old bomb.
Synonyms and how they differ
- regulated
- Regulated is more formal and usually refers to rules from an authority, while controlled can be any kind of management.
- restrained
- Restrained describes holding feelings or actions back, but controlled can also mean precisely managed.
- composed
- Composed describes a calm person only, whereas controlled can describe systems and conditions too.
- disciplined
- Disciplined suggests training and regular habits, while controlled focuses on the limits being kept.
Opposites
Word family
- control verb
- to direct or limit something
- control noun
- power to direct or limit something
- controller noun
- a person or device that controls
- controllable adjective
- able to be managed
- uncontrolled adjective
- not managed or restrained
Commonly confused: controlled or controlling?
controlled vs controlling
Controlling describes a person who wants to dominate others, while controlled describes something kept within limits.
Practice
The study took place under ____ conditions so that the results could be trusted.
Choose one answer.
Controlled conditions are carefully managed so only one thing changes. Wild, random and careless describe conditions that would make results less reliable.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “controlled”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.