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
Real progress likely depends on systemic change: bold regulations to limit plastic production, major investments in alternative materials, and the will to challenge an industry that has polluted our planet for decades. —Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2025 Officials are encouraging air passengers to ensure bags are compliant with TSA regulations and to bring a Real ID or other acceptable identification such as a passport. —Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 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
  • Eventually – inevitably – a recession will occur, but the huge 2022-2024 inversion will not have predicted it by the traditional rules of interpretation.
    — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Older people were hit the hardest socially by COVID rules that limited or barred visits from family and friends.
    — Joshua Zatulskis, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
Definition of rule
Noun
  • Leveraging a robust background in HR leadership, Josh previously directed transformative talent practices at Red Ventures as vice president of people operations, leading talent management, HR business partner, talent acquisition, and M&A integration during his tenure.
    — Josh Tarr, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • The project still needs to be reviewed by the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the two agencies responsible for Everglades restoration and water management in South Florida.
    — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Definition of management
Noun
  • This shift will require employees to develop new skills, particularly in areas such as AI oversight, strategic planning and creative problem-solving.
    — Deepinder Singh Sethi, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • The group argued that the split structure allows the board to focus on corporate governance and oversight, while the CEO focuses on the company’s business.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 22 May 2025
Definition of oversight
Adjective
  • This case raises highly complex legal and ethical questions, such as who makes the decision about whether to continue or withdraw supportive measures if the patient is pregnant.
    — Katherine Drabiak, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • All three branches of state government agreed on the same candidates — drawing criticism from local residents and legal experts who say this will be a simulation of an election, not a real one.
    — James Wagner, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Definition of legal
Noun
  • The existing tax law limits deductions for state income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes to $10,000.
    — Cindy McGhee, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Asian Americans’ outrage over a judge’s leniency in the case — the assailants received $3,000 fines and no jail time — sparked a surge of activism seeking tougher hate crime laws nationwide.
    — Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 31 May 2025
Definition of law
Noun
  • Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, has also supported the use of vitamin A under the supervision of a physician to treat people with measles, creating concerns among health experts who have cautioned about the vitamin’s effectiveness.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The first was distilled in 1960 under the supervision of Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii, according to the brand (which alone makes this whisky stand out), and aged in Japanese mizunara oak barrels.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • Recent research from a collaboration between WTW and Directors and Boards explored the evolution of effective stewardship among boards.
    — John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Hawaii became the first U.S. state to establish a climate impact fee on Tuesday, placing an additional tax on tourists to fund climate change resiliency projects and environmental stewardship within the islands.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Definition of stewardship
Adjective
  • Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident who has been detained by immigration authorities since March, is scheduled to appear at a pivotal immigration hearing Thursday that could determine his future in the United States.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
  • The buyer, a U.K. citizen married to a U.S. citizen, was set to receive a green card but hadn’t had it long enough to meet the SBA’s new six-month lookback requirement for lawful permanent residents.
    — Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 20 May 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 4 Jun. 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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