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

Relevance

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 Some parts of Germany are already spraying oak processionary caterpillars with chemicals that are strictly regulated under environmental-protection laws. — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 The agency has filed legal actions against at least nine states, including New York, to block them from regulating the markets. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Minnesota’s law was passed amid wider efforts to regulate AI platforms that can generate deepfakes. — Samantha Elkins, NBC news, 31 July 2026 The separation can keep stress to a minimum and allow both people to regulate their emotions before a trip. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for regulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for regulate

Verb

And despite Mario’s best efforts to control the situation, White Nights will end in disappointment for one of its central characters.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
This way, the researchers could precisely control the intensity and direction of the odor the fly was registering.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

Verb

Aid agencies say mistrust, misinformation about Ebola, and resistance to restrictions on traditional burial practices have fueled hostility toward health workers and complicated efforts to contain the outbreak.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
While conducting a raid on his home Monday, federal agents seized 14 devices, including a hard drive and USB drive containing child pornography.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

Operators define intent, establish boundaries and supervise autonomous action across high-stakes systems.

— Kannan Kothandaraman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Plaintiff David Figueroa’s lawsuit said he was hired as a retail sales consultant on February 2, 2026, and was supervised by store manager Sully Fuentes Peterson.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

Several Asian countries including Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Korea have raised interest rates in the past few months to curb inflation as the conflict in the Middle East has driven energy prices higher.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
The bill would authorize the president to sanction Russian officials and impose steep tariffs on countries such as China and India in an effort to curb their purchases of Russian oil and gas.

— Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of curb

Verb

Buttery defended that decision, saying an employee operating a cruiser or unmarked car has no expectation of privacy.

— Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
The best premium economy cabins are usually found on long-haul aircraft that operate lengthy international routes.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of operate

Verb

Gulf states push China to restrain Iran Gulf states are pushing for China to rein in Iran as doubts grow about the US’ ability to end the five-month conflict.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Jor’Dell Richardson was lying face up on the ground with two officers restraining at least one of his hands when another officer shot him in the stomach.

— Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrain

Verb

The agency oversees Medicaid's low-cost health coverage for the state's lowest-income families.

— Larry Seward, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Moreno asked the Ohio judge overseeing the case to grant a restraining order that would prohibit Miller from harassing, physically touching, and/or verbally or electronically threatening Moreno’s counsel.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Definition of oversee

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regulars

regulate

regulated

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

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Synonyms of regulate

verb

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