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

Examples 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
Even if Trump gets the EPA to change emission rules here, automakers will maintain an incentive to keep making EVs to meet regulations elsewhere, or tougher environmental rules in many US states, including California, which has its own tougher emission rules followed by many other states. —Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 The filing also discusses environmental matters, including compliance with EPA regulations and the impact of potential changes in environmental laws on Evergy's operations. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
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
  • Each dish will be a fascinating journey through the art of plating: a unique approach that redefines the rules of mise en place, both visually and gastronomically, from breakfast to aperitif.
    Benedetta Rossi, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024
  • During this conversation, Domingo broke a major rule of the brotherhood.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
Definition of rule
Noun
  • Ultimately, the environmental benefit allowed Caltrain to receive a waiver by the air quality management district to keep the locomotives in operation.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
  • Just as the Great Recession was ramping up, in October 2008, Gorman and then-CEO John Mack reportedly called the CEO of Citigroup, Vikram Pandit, and asked to buy wealth management giant Smith Barney, which at the time had 15,000 brokers and $2 trillion in assets under management.
    Michael del Castillo, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024
Definition of management
Noun
  • But as ProPublica reported this year, court oversight of these officials is threadbare.
    Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Delays or budget overruns can erode profitability, so maintaining rigorous oversight and having contingency plans in place are both essential to navigating the complexities of large-scale developments.
    Meyer Orbach, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of oversight
Adjective
  • The fact that Trump will be placing his hands squarely on the scale of justice for his benefit in his own case is unprecedented in American legal annals and is fundamentally appalling for the very reason that those two principles are bedrocks of our American criminal justice system.
    Dennis C. McAndrews, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024
  • The core of this ongoing legal tension is an antitrust challenge that targets NASCAR's charter agreements, with the racing teams seeking the right to maintain their lawsuit while potentially signing agreements.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Definition of legal
Noun
  • Leases are subject to environmental rules—that means new leases could well be challenged in court for potential violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, or other federal laws.
    Li Zhou, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Production along with all tax incentives in the state were the chopping block as Landry seeks to change Louisiana’s tax laws, slashing the corporate tax rate, currently the highest in the South, to make the state more competitive for business, and moving to a flat 3% personal income tax rate.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of law
Noun
  • The report also found discrepancies in the department’s training, supervision and accountability.
    Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Searching through thousands of available masks can be overwhelming without support and supervision from knowledgeable respiratory therapists and medical equipment companies.
    Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of supervision
Noun
  • Under the stewardship of O’Sullivan and his family, The Phoenix screened an eclectic mix of movies — blockbusters, family fare, independent and foreign language films — for both locals and visitors year-round.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Doxa watches were brought back during the 2000s under the stewardship of collector Rick Marai, who created the template for how to resuscitate a legendary watch brand without breaking its bones: Stay absolutely faithful to the original designs.
    Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of stewardship
Adjective
  • In 2022, the Electoral Count Reform Act, passed with bipartisan support, strengthened the original act by creating a system of judicial oversight, where courts have the final say on the lawful counting of votes and determination of a slate of electors.
    Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
  • MCCs, seemingly introduced for regulatory or monitoring purposes, carry significant implications for the privacy of consumers and equitable treatment of lawful transactions.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Definition of lawful

Thesaurus Entries Near regulation

regulating

regulation

regulations

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Regulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regulation. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on regulation

Nglish: Translation of regulation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of regulation for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about regulation

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