regulation 1 of 2

noun

ˌre-gyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce regulation (audio)
Definition of regulationnext
1
as in rule
a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity it's against community regulations to leave your trash on the curb for more than two days

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something the owner seldom visited the plant and did not take an active part in the regulation of the company

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in oversight
the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control the regulation of the soccer team was left entirely to the head coach and her assistants

Synonyms & Similar Words

regulation

2 of 2

adjective

as in legal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word regulation distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of regulation are canon, law, ordinance, precept, rule, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When could canon be used to replace regulation?

While the synonyms canon and regulation are close in meaning, canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When is law a more appropriate choice than regulation?

Although the words law and regulation have much in common, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When might ordinance be a better fit than regulation?

While in some cases nearly identical to regulation, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

When is it sensible to use precept instead of regulation?

The words precept and regulation can be used in similar contexts, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

When can rule be used instead of regulation?

In some situations, the words rule and regulation are roughly equivalent. However, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When would statute be a good substitute for regulation?

The words statute and regulation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of regulation
Noun
The result, says Zephyr Sylvester, an environmental researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder, is that fishing vessels are free to act on their companies’ directives until a new regulation is adopted. —Gabe Castro-Root, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025 That’s despite sales of battery and hybrid electric vehicles of any brand rising in January as the E.U. continues to tighten regulations on emissions from new vehicles. —Simmone Shah, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Brett Maher went 6-for-9 on field goals while kicking into a non-regulation, skinny post, his longest from 50 yards. —Dallas News, 18 Aug. 2022 Still, presuming that the anti-regulation guests also made misleading scientific statements (no big assumption, given the way this debate tends to go), the result is closely related. —Chris Mooney, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2011 See All Example Sentences for regulation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regulation
  1. rule
  2. management
  3. oversight
  4. legal
  5. law
  6. supervision
  7. stewardship
  8. lawful
Noun
  • The House voted to repeal a Biden-era rule focused on decentralized finance, or DeFi, which refers to peer-to-peer financial services on the blockchain.
    — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • So who is responsible for actually enforcing existing conflict of interest rules where they can be applied?
    — Abdallah Fayyad, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of rule
Noun
  • Join 8 others in the comments View Comments Nissan has been beset by years of faltering sales and management turmoil, never fully recovering from a hit to its brand following the 2018 ouster of former chairman Carlos Ghosn, who was accused by Tokyo prosecutors of financial misconduct.
    — Reuters, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Operating expenses Enhancing compliance and risk management has been the cornerstone of Wells’ operational strategy since Scharf took over.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of management
Noun
  • Similarly, regulatory programs that ensure colleges and universities comply with federal standards may be weakened, potentially leading to a lack of oversight in areas like campus safety or fair treatment of students.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • As part of his work advising agencies to reduce spending and cut staff, Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency have promised transparency and increased oversight over how taxpayer dollars are going out the door.
    — MaryAlice Parks, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of oversight
Adjective
  • The Trump administration will be revoking the legal status of hundreds of thousands of Latin American and Haitian migrants welcomed into the U.S. under a Biden-era sponsorship process, urging them to self-deport or face arrest and removal by deportation agents.
    — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The future of digital governance The legal battle over platform regulation is not confined to the current battle between U.S.-based platforms and Brazil.
    — Camille Grenier, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of legal
Noun
  • The bill has not become law as the House still needs to vote on its proposal, which would regulate, not eliminate, the state’s hemp market.
    — Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Local police forces around the country have long been preoccupied with enforcing state and local law because that’s their reason for existing and primary responsibility to local taxpayers.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of law
Noun
  • No experience is necessary and youth volunteers are welcome with adult supervision.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Additionally, Yellow has sold its most valuable properties while under court supervision and is still in the process of finding buyers for its remaining assets, namely its terminals.
    — Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • Our activities promote environmental stewardship, social justice and sound governance practices.
    — Suat Bakkal, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • But on two fronts, Grier continued a risky pattern that has marked his stewardship of the franchise, often to his team’s detriment.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of stewardship
Adjective
  • The Trump administration’s attempt to deport a lawful permanent resident protest leader may raise significant First Amendment issues.
    — Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The indictment alleged Cardona operated Delta Global Solutions Inc., which assisted individuals in applying for asylum, immigrant visas, lawful permanent residence cards and other immigration benefits.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of lawful

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Cite this Entry

“Regulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regulation. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on regulation

Nglish: Translation of regulation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about regulation

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