REGULATE Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

regulate

verb

ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt

Definition of regulate

as in to control

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you would be well advised to regulate your enthusiasm for the venture and pause to consider the risk involved

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to manage

to look after and make decisions about the government agency that regulates the nuclear power industry in this country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 regulate Experts believe Lula’s recent reelection means the push to regulate tech companies in Brazil will only grow. — semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026 The mass backlash is not just about utility costs or other data center fears, Montoya-Boyer suggested, but instead stemmed from a call from voters to regulate AI. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026 Instead, the governor directed state agencies in an executive order to regulate the industry. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026 Pulsetto’s vagus nerve stimulator is one of an emerging category of at-home consumer devices promising to regulate the nervous system and brain. — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for regulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for regulate

Verb

In her latest book, Harvard historian Jill Lepore argues that Big Tech now controls the United States—and, by extension, the entire planet.

— Nina Verdelli, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
He was angered when the team's controlling owner moved the team to Atlanta for the 1966 season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of control

Verb

Union Berlin managed to draw at Augsburg 1-1 after a player from each was sent off in separate incidents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
The winner will gain one of five seats on the board that runs the highway district, which is responsible for building, managing and maintaining local roads and bridges countywide — as well as setting ACHD’s nearly $260 million annual budget.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of manage

Verb

An independent committee found that the Housing Bureau’s independent checking unit failed in its duties supervising the maintenance work.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
But the judge initially permitted him to supervise prosecutions in his other roles — an arrangement the subsequent 9th Circuit ruling undermined.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

Pass Amendment 3 to curb spending abuse Much has been printed here about why voters should oppose the adoption of Amendment 3.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Earlier this summer, Barcelona officials pushed to increase taxes on cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours to as much as $35, as part of broader efforts to curb overtourism.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of curb

Verb

But there are actual terrifying objects in space, entities operating on a scale that crush our minds and reduce our human experience to a mote of dust floating in the dark.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
Military bases would need reliable fuel distribution, water treatment, secure communications, functioning maintenance systems and personnel capable of operating under emergency conditions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of operate

Verb

On the strength of those elections, restrained only marginally by the midterm elections of 1982, Reagan began his second term on top of the world.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Security restrained Kruse’s arm behind her back while escorting her through the stands.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrain

Verb

The state superintendent of public instruction, until now, was tasked with overseeing the California Department of Education and executing the state Board of Education’s policies.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Hedge fund manager Aaron Sosnick, who has advocated for an expansion in the city’s bike lane network, put $8 million into a pair of committees that have promoted Raman, including the one overseen by the carpenters.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of oversee

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regulars

regulate

regulated

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Style

“Regulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regulate. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of regulate

verb

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