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
North America leads the charge, thanks to changing regulations and shifting consumer preferences. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025 Supplements have less stringent regulations and are not FDA-approved. —Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 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
  • Dunne’s Back-Pay Argument Dunne committed to LSU in 2017, four years before the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Interim rules went into effect.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • For 18 months, every discussion about Newcastle United’s transfer strategy has necessitated mention of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of rule
Noun
  • Sullivan joined Athlete Advantage, a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) sports management company, as CEO in 2024.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Oh No — without the knowledge of the band’s management or their then-label, Capitol Records.
    — Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of management
Noun
  • The coming months will likely determine whether Texas pursues strict prohibition or opts for more balanced, regulated oversight that could save livelihoods while protecting public health.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Other duties include providing structural engineering advice to partners in all project stages and supervising staff working on design oversight of consultant designs on or off the state highway system.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of oversight
Adjective
  • American history itself documents the shifting boundaries of racial categories, a legal as well as a social status in the United States.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Depardieu’s trial is only the latest in a series of #MeToo scandals and legal challenges that have rocked the French film world over the past few years, resulting in a sea change that feels long overdue for many industrial professionals.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of legal
Noun
  • The memo signed by Rubio also makes the case that another person, whose name is redacted, should be deportable under the same law.
    — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • This relic of constitutional law, which the Supreme Court hasn’t taken seriously since its quiet death in the New Deal era, is more mythical than historical—holding, more or less, that Congress cannot delegate its lawmaking power to another branch of government.
    — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of law
Noun
  • Parents shouldn’t give vitamin A without a doctor’s supervision, because giving too much can cause liver damage.
    — Meg Wingerter, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • He was released several months later on an order of supervision because Venezuela was not accepting deportation flights at the time, Siegel said.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • The White House remains committed to the stewardship and preservation of its historic grounds.
    — Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2025
  • By prioritizing sustainable infrastructure, the industry can pave the way for a future where technological progress and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
    — Chris Sharp, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of stewardship
Adjective
  • Green card holders, who are lawful permanent residents, have faced challenges in certain cases, including a recent Columbia graduate student and Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil.
    — Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Applicants still need to meet requirements, such as having good moral character and being a lawful permanent resident at the time of their naturalization interview.
    — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of lawful

Browse Nearby Words

regulating
regulation
regulations
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Cite this Entry

“Regulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regulation. Accessed 16 Apr. 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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