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overcontrol

overcontrol

7.1
Too much control that stops people from doing things on their own
  • noun
  • /ˌoʊvərkənˈtroʊl/
translation icon : control excesivo
  • Having too much overcontrol in parenting can stifle a child's ability to develop independence and confidence.

Examples

  • Mothers of depressed children exhibited more verbal overcontrol and were less laissez-faire than the other mothers.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The company's overcontrol of employee schedules led to low morale and high turnover rates.

  • If we ban, overcontrol, and regulate every substance or object that has the potential to be abused or used in a harmful manner, we will soon find ourselves living in a sterile world with little reason to live.

    Blog text (32)
  • "Streamlining" is intended to emphasize delegation, decentralization, empowerment, and accountability, and reduce overcontrol and micromanagement (1993).

    Academic text (1997)
  • Excessive overcontrol from the government can limit citizens' freedoms and discourage innovation.

Synonyms

restraint
vsovercontrol
44 3.9

A rule or measure that limits what people can do

is excessive and harmful regulation beyond a simple limiting measure
paternalism
vsovercontrol
  • Formal
4 8.4

People in charge limit others' freedom and choices, saying it is for their good

is about excessive management without necessarily claiming benevolent motive
overregulation
vsovercontrol
3 7.4

Many rules that make doing things harder than necessary

is broader, applying to excessive management that restricts freedom and flexibility
government overreach
vsovercontrol
2 6.2

Action by a government that goes too far and controls private life or business

is similar but can apply to non governmental actors regulating too much
restrictiveness
vsovercontrol
1 7.3

Limiting what people can do

involves excess rather than neutral limitation, causing negative consequences
repressiveness
vsovercontrol
1 8.0

A situation where a government strongly limits people's freedom

focuses on excessive management that restricts freedom but not only harshness
overpolicing
vsovercontrol
  • Literature
8.1

A situation where police enforce rules too much and harm a community

is broader, covering excessive management beyond just law enforcement
overbearingness
vsovercontrol
8.3

Being too bossy and trying to control other people

is about excess regulation or management rather than rude personal attitude

Antonyms

1.0

The right to act, speak, or think as you want without being stopped

127 3.9

The act of setting people free from control or unfair treatment

37 3.0

Ability to bend or change shape without breaking

How Controlling

overcontrol
7.1

Surface Forms

overcontrol singular
overcontrols plural

Morphology

overcontrol = control (transparent) = over + control

The meaning is clearly derived from 'over' + 'control', indicating excessive control.

Etymology

Overcontrol comes from over- ('too much') and control ('to manage' or 'keep in check'), so it means managing or regulating someone or something 'too much' and limiting freedom.