self-mastery

noun

self-mas·tery ˌself-ˈmas-t(ə-)rē

Synonyms of self-mastery

: the ability to control one's own desires or impulses : self-control, self-discipline

However, I realized the wisdom of Rooke's advice, and went away by myself to get over my anger and reacquire my self-mastery.—Bram Stoker

Self-esteem that is not backed by self-mastery becomes narcissism.—Gracie Bonds Staples

Synonyms of self-mastery

Relevance

restraint

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of self-mastery in a Sentence

she had remarkable self-mastery for one so young

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Life is for learning; self-mastery is a process. — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026 The moral life, writes Murdoch, is not about self-mastery in the crucible of moral struggle. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 Past mistakes are the greatest university ever, harvest their full value for a PhD in self-mastery. — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2026 Those who mastered these high summits did so by first achieving self-mastery, reaching through prayer and meditation a higher realm of almost superhuman awareness and power. — Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for self-mastery

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of self-mastery was in 1652

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

self-management

self-mastery

self-mate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Self-mastery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-mastery. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

self-mastery

noun

Synonyms of self-mastery

Examples of self-mastery in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

effulgence

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes