A single word meaning “absolute control over something”

Question

I'm looking for a single word meaning “absolute control over something”. For example, the government having absolute control over money. &rarr;

The government has [a] ________ over money.

I thought of “stranglehold”, but I'd prefer something without the mild negative connotation. Even “monopoly” tends to give a slightly different meaning.

Any suggestions?

Elian · Accepted Answer

I'd suggest you reconsider stranglehold, which actually is nowhere near as mild as you think.

stranglehold

A grip around the neck of another person that can kill by asphyxiation if held for long enough.

Complete or overwhelming control: in France, supermarkets have less of a stranglehold on food supplies ODO

If you're still not happy with it, consider:
chokehold

1:  a hold that involves strong choking pressure applied to the neck of another
2:  absolute dominance or control : had a chokehold on the city's finances M-W

throttlehold

A vicious, strangling, or stultifying control M-W

BiscuitBoy · Answer

You can consider the following set of words:

supremacy
authoritarian
totalitarian

supremacy (noun)

supreme authority or power.

authoritarian (adj.)

of or relating to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.

totalitarian (adj.)

of or relating to a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion and that exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life.

[References - Dictionary.com]

Note that authoritarian and totalitarian are synonymous with neutral to negative connotation.

Brian M. Hunt · Answer

Plenary.

It means unqualified or absolute control.

elm · Answer

To legislate

to mandate, establish, or regulate by or as if by legislation (Merriam Webster)

Implicit in legislating is the authoritative act of establishing of laws.

Scott · Answer

dominion:

Oxford English Dictionaries:
  Sovereignty or control.
  ‘man’s attempt to establish dominion over nature’
  
  American Heritage Dictionary:
  Control or the exercise of control; sovereignty: “The devil …
  has their souls in his possession, and under his dominion” 
  (Jonathan Edwards).
  Collins English Dictionary:
  uncountable noun
  Dominion is control or authority.
  They truly believe they have dominion over us. [+ over]
  
  Macmillan Dictionary:
  [uncountable] formal control, or the right to rule over something
  At that time the island was under foreign dominion.

GEdgar · Answer

mastery

Control or superiority over someone or something.
  ‘man's mastery over nature’

source

eric · Answer

autonomy
.
the right or condition of self-government.
"Tatarstan demanded greater autonomy within the Russian Federation"
2.
(in Kantian moral philosophy) the capacity of an agent to act in accordance with objective morality rather than under the influence of desires.

auspicious99 · Answer

I suggest either sovereignty or carte blanche, depending on whether the emphasis is more on complete control or on complete freedom to do anything with that something.
sovereignty : As lexico defines it:

Supreme power or authority.

‘the sovereignty of Parliament’

carte blanche : As investopedia defines it:

Carte blanche is a figurative term to describe having free reign or flexibility with budget or spending decisions for a project or investment.

A single word meaning “absolute control over something”

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