Meanings
- uncountableThe conscious control of one's own behaviour.
Near-synonym: willpower
1 more example
I would wish it to be done, for the sake of what is more important than my comfort, a habit of self-command in you, a consideration of what is your duty, an attention to propriety, an endeavour to avoid the suspicions of others, to save your health and credit, and restore your tranquillity.
1815, Jane Austen, Emma, volume II, chapter 13Synonyms: self-control, self-discipline, self-mastery, self-regulation, willpower · Antonyms: undisciplinedness
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe conscious control of one's own behaviour.
More synonyms by meaning
nounthe trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Proto-Indo-European*swé?
- Proto-Indo-European*selbʰ-
- Proto-Germanic*selbaz
- Old Englishself
- Old Englishself-
- Middle Englishself-
- Englishself-
- Latincommendō
- Latinmandōinflu.
- Latincommandāre
- Old Frenchcomander
- Middle Englishcomaunden
- Englishcommand
- Englishself-command
Cite this entry
self-command. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/self-command
“self-command.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/self-command. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “self-command,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/self-command.
Source: self-command on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.