People who want to control everything are difficult to be around. It makes it feel like you have no control when they try and take it from you. It might help you to come up with a few suitable ways to describe these people, and this article will help!
What Do You Call Someone Who Wants To Control Everything?
There are plenty of good choices for this situation. You might benefit from trying one of the following:
- Control freak
- Officious
- Busybody
- Interfering
- Meddlesome
- Know it all
- Bossy
- Manipulative
- Controlling
- Backseat driver
The preferred version is “control freak.” It works well because it shows that someone is a “freak” about all the things they want to control. They will often get angry at anyone who does not give them full control of a situation or problem.
Control Freak
“Control freak” is the best word we can use for someone who likes to control everything. We can refer to them as “freaks” because no one views them in a positive light. It’s a negative character trait, and it’s best to avoid working with these people if you can.
Check out some of these examples to help you:
- You’re a control freak, Monica! We can’t stand working with you because you always try to take it away from us.
- My mother is the world’s biggest control freak. Good luck getting anything done with her around.
- Stop being a control freak, and maybe people will be more inclined to like you for who you are!
Officious
“Officious” works to show that someone is eager and happy to take control. Usually, officious people think they’re much more important or intelligent than those around them, which is why they think they owe it to everyone to take charge and “fix” certain issues.
The definition of “officious,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “too eager to tell people what to do and having too high an opinion of your own importance.”
These examples will help you if you’re struggling with this one:
- The officious guy in my office struck again today! He actually took our entire project away from us.
- He’s far too officious, which is part of the reason why we decided to write a formal complaint about his conduct.
- She’s officious, but I kind of like that! I don’t mind if she wants to do all my work for me!
Busybody
“Busybody” means that someone likes to get involved in their work. It means that they are far too interested in trying to impress their superiors, so they’ll try and take as much control of a project or task as possible away from their coworkers.
The definition of “busybody,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person who is too interested in things that do not involve them.”
Here are a couple of examples that might be useful to you:
- He’s such a busybody. In most offices, I’m sure he’d be greatly appreciated. None of us like him here, however.
- You don’t have to act like a busybody all the time! You’re so annoying to listen to, and you don’t need that much control.
- Why do I have to work with a busybody like her? I can’t stand how she always takes charge when it’s my specialist subject!
Interfering
“Interfering” works well to show that someone likes to get involved in other people’s situations. They will often try and force their way in because they like to have control. This also applies when people don’t like being left out of situations because it makes them feel unwanted.
The definition of “interfering,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “gets involved in other people’s lives in an unwanted and annoying way.”
These examples will help you with this one:
- Do you have to be so interfering all the time? Literally, nobody here asked you for any help!
- I don’t understand why they all think I’m so interfering! All I tried to do was help, but they laughed at me and kicked me out.
- Don’t come here interfering next time, and maybe we’ll be happy to let you into our group.
Meddlesome
“Meddlesome” is a great word to show that someone constantly seeks control. They will often find control even when a project or situation has nothing to do with them (i.e. they’ll invite themselves into a group to try and help them with a problem).
The definition of “meddlesome,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “often getting involved in situations where you are not wanted, especially by criticizing in a damaging or annoying way.”
Some of these examples might help you with this one:
- Do you have to be so meddlesome all the time? This project doesn’t even concern you!
- I don’t like being meddlesome, but I really think you’ll benefit if you let me take more control of this!
- He’s too meddlesome, which is why he was last to be picked. No one wants him on their team!
Know It All
“Know it all” means that someone thinks they have all the answers. They often value their own intelligence and knowledge over all others. For this reason, they’ll try and take control of matters that they think they are more suitable for (which applies to all things).
Since “know-it-alls” no everything (or so they think), they very rarely let other people try and tell them what to do.
Here are some examples to help you:
- You’re a know-it-all, Marcus. It’s time that you let someone else educate you for once!
- Stop being such a know-it-all! Nobody here thinks you’re smart, and it’s time you accepted that!
- I can’t stand that you’re this much of a loud-mouthed know-it-all! You’ve really changed!
Bossy
“Bossy” is a good way to show that someone is always trying to take control. They’ll do this by trying to tell people what to do and how to act. Usually, “bossy” people are really awful people to be around as they always talk as if they’re above everybody else.
The definition of “bossy,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “always telling people what to do.”
Check out these examples to see how you can use it:
- I don’t mean to sound bossy, but I can already tell that you’re doing everything wrong here!
- Stop being so bossy! We stopped listening to you a long time ago, and you have no real sway here.
- He likes to be the bossy one. That’s okay, though, because none of us actually like doing any of the work!
Manipulative
“Manipulative” works when we want to show that someone is always looking to control other people. They don’t always look for control over situations, but they’ll do things to their advantage, making other people feel small and like they don’t matter.
The definition of “manipulative,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “tending to influence or control someone or something to your advantage, often without anyone knowing it.”
It’s most common for manipulative people to appear in relationships. They will often try to manipulate their partner into doing things they might not want to do. It’s all about power and control for manipulative people.
These examples will help you to work out this one:
- She is manipulative, and you need to be careful. She’s trying to change you into someone you’re not.
- Don’t let his manipulative powers get the better of you. He has no control over you, and you need to show him that.
- Stop being so manipulative. People are starting to realize that about you, and they don’t like it!
Controlling
“Controlling” is a simple way to show that someone wants to have control. It often means they’re happy to manipulate other people or that they will take control from all of the people around them until they have it all themselves.
Here are a couple of ways you can make it work:
- You are far too controlling for anybody to take seriously. You need to take a step back and reevaluate your ethics.
- Stop being so controlling! I can’t stand the way you try to take charge of these things, and it’s time you move on!
- I don’t need you in my life if you’re going to be this controlling, okay?
Backseat Driver
“Backseat driver” works well to show that someone wants to have control even when they don’t have power. It refers to the passengers sitting in the backseat of a car trying to tell the driver how they should conduct themselves on the road.
While backseat drivers have no way of controlling the car themselves, they often hope their words are enough to encourage the driver to listen to them. Backseat drivers are often driven by arrogance and think they know better than others.
Here are a few examples to help you with this one:
- You need to stop being a backseat driver in this project, mate. It doesn’t concern you.
- He’s the biggest backseat driver I know. I find that if you just ignore him, he usually shuts up.
- It’s okay to be a backseat driver if you know that they want you involved in the project. If they don’t, then be quiet.
You may also like:
11 Best Words To Describe Someone Who Plans Everything
10 Best Words For Wanting Power
10 Words For Someone Who Likes To Do Everything On Their Own
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.