control
administer
direct
govern
manage
regulate
rule
supervise
a basic difference in essence or disagreement in purpose or aim: a contrary viewpoint. Things are contrary when the highest degree of both cannot exist in the same object at the same time, but where a middle term is possible, partaking of the qualities of both. Thus wisdom and folly are contrary, for the perfection of either excludes any trace of the other; yet most human acts and statements partake of both.
Loosely, contradictory may mean no more than differing significantly: contradictory versions of an accident. In this sense, contradictory and conflicting are often interchangeable. Conflicting means clashing and stresses discord, implying mutual antagonism, as of interests, feelings, or ideas: conflicting opinions as to the best location for the new school; The prospect of a return to his home town filled him with conflicting emotions.
Opposite comes close to contradictory in referring to things that are diametrically different in tendency, character, or point of view: opposite opinions; the opposite sex. But opposite is more likely to be applied to difference in direction, position, or condition than to mutually exclusive statements. [The condition opposite to cold is heat; The direction opposite to north is south; Black and white are often said to be opposite .] Where opposite refers to position, tendency, or the like, opposed is chiefly used of feeling and intent. People who live on opposite sides of a fence may or may not be opposed. Contrary and opposed are often used interchangeably to mean differing from in any way: to do something that is contrary (or opposed) to another person’s wishes. In other uses, contrary suggests active opposition, and opposed implies passive contrariness. A person holding a contrary point of view may suggest that a different line of action should be taken. But a person may be opposed to a line of action without proposing any alternative. Both contradictory and contrary may be used to describe persons who perversely beg to differ at every possible opportunity. See controversy, disparate, opposed.
Antonyms: accordant, acquiescent, agreeing, compatible, concordant, consenting, consistent, consonant, corresponding, harmonious.
To control is to exercise a restraining or dominating influence over a person or thing. Regulate means to order or control by rule, method, or established mode. A major stockholder may control a large block of shares in a company. The police may attempt to control an unruly mob. The Securities and Exchange Commission regulates stock-exchange activity. A government may regulate its balance-of-trade payments by controlling exports.
Direct stresses guidance and refers to the exercise of leadership: to direct a play. Direct may refer specifically to the control or conduct of affairs: to direct a large corporation. In this sense, it is close to manage, which emphasizes operational control: to manage a hotel; to manage a campaign. Of the two verbs, however, direct implies a stronger, overall control, while manage often refers to the actual running or handling of specific affairs, and may imply delegated authority. The President directs the nation’s foreign policy. A person may be hired to manage a business for the owner.
The verb administer implies official management and direction of affairs: a well -administered state government. It indicates the performing of executive functions and may be used of government or institutional officials. The chief of a government agency administers the funds allotted to his agency. The chancellor or president of a university may administer the school’s financial affairs. In a strictly legal sense, administer means
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to act as an executor or trustee in settling or managing an estate: to administer the estate of a deceased or incompetent person. To supervise an operation or an employee is to be in charge of assigning, directing, and inspecting the work done. Like direct, supervise involves overseeing and guidance; but it indicates a more personal control than administer, and, like manage, may imply the exercise either of personal or of delegated authority: to act as a group leader and supervise a dozen workers. A housewife may supervise the work done by her maid. An office manager may supervise the work of several departments.
To govern is to control by authority, arbitrarily or constitutionally. Govern implies the exercise of knowledge and judgment as well as power, and usually involves systematic administration. To rule is more autocratic than to govern, implying the exercise of absolute or dictatorial power and the imposition of arbitrary commands. In a democracy, an administration governs with the consent of the majority. A dictator, by contrast, may rule (or govern ) with an iron hand. In a less specific sense, govern often refers to the exerting of any controlling influence: What motives governed his actions? It may also mean to keep in check, and in this sense it may serve as a more formal synonym for control : unable to govern (or control) his temper. See command, guide, possess, subdue.
Controversy, discord, and dissension mean a prolonged disagreement expressed in terms ranging from reasonable to belligerent. Controversy is generally applied to disagreements between groups, such as nations, political parties, or religious sects. Internationally one speaks of the controversy over disarmament; politically, of the controversy over federal versus state power; and religiously, of the controversy over priestly celibacy. Discord is controversy carried to unpleasant lengths, and implies an unlikelihood of easy resolution. Discord between branches of a family often lasts for generations. Dissension is factional discord, and is often expressed in voluble protests or accusations: Dissension among the rank and file of the labor union forced a change in leadership.
Argument, debate, and dispute mean verbal expressions of disagreement. An argument is usually between individuals, and suggests a combined appeal to reason and to the emotions. It may or may not result in a resolution of the disagreement. [An argument between parents regarding the rearing of their children often goes on for years; The umpire always wins the argument about a close play in baseball.] A debate is an argument between selected individuals or groups, and is carefully controlled and monitored; it is normally limited to an appeal to reason, and is usually an attempt to arrive at the truth rather than to overpower by tricks of oratory: A Congressional debate on a piece of proposed legislation is designed to bring out all the relevant facts to enable Congressmen to vote on the merits of the bill. A dispute is an argument carried on over a long period of time and is often marked by heated clashes: The dispute over an international boundary produced a long exchange of strong allegations couched in diplomatic language.
Contention, friction, conflict, and strife mean disagreement carried so far as to be marked by ill will and sometimes by hostile actions. Contention is usually limited to verbal discord carried to extreme lengths, and implies vying for a contested goal. Contention between rival camps at a political convention is often acrimonious. Friction implies a steady and continuous disagreement between individuals or groups, and is characterized by frequent clashes. Friction between labor and management can result in mutual recriminations, strikes, and lockouts. Conflict
controversy
argument
bickering
conflict
contention
debate
discord
dispute
dissension
friction
quarrel
strife
wrangle
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