regulate

verb

ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce regulate (audio)
Definition of regulatenext
1
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
2
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 The lawsuit argued that the new rules incorrectly preempt states’ powers to regulate how the interest generated by mortgage escrow accounts is handled. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 Possible applications include textiles that automatically regulate air or light permeability as environmental conditions change. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 Nearly 73% of voters said standing up to China and establishing an American standard for how AI is regulated globally was important. — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2026 Polymarket, Kalshi's main competitor, also offers mention markets, but only on its popular overseas site, which is not regulated by the CFTC. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for regulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regulate
  1. control
  2. manage
  3. contain
  4. supervise
  5. curb
  6. operate
  7. restrain
  8. oversee
Verb
  • According to Indian investigators, certain PNB officials issued financial instruments known as Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) to companies controlled by Modi, Choksi and their associates.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The group doesn’t control the part of Yemen’s coastline along Bab el-Mandeb but holds territory less than 60 miles away.
    — Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of control
Verb
  • Carrick named an unchanged line-up in four of his 17 Premier League games last season — a feat Amorim managed just once.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Orlando’s best chance of the first half came in the 31st minute when Simone Jackson hit the crossbar, but the Pride managed little else going forward and went into the break trailing.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • According to police sources, witnesses said two men threw two bottles containing an unknown substance into the deli.
    — Allen Devlin, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The proposal is for one building that would contain three studio apartment homes, 35 one-bedroom apartment homes, and 36 two bedroom apartment homes.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Nick Martin, a DOT supervising engineer and project manager for the bridge rehab, answered that the choices aren’t that simple.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Becoming a therapist requires years of education, supervised practice, licensing examinations and often substantial student debt.
    — Wayne Lonstein, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • Dozens of new laws take effect in Colorado on Wednesday as part of state lawmakers’ efforts to increase safety of ride-hailing apps, improve affordable housing development and curb Coloradans from leaving out trash that could lure bears.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Existing laws already shield utilities from billions in wildfire damages, including Altadena’s deadly Eaton fire, as new proposals could further curb victim payouts and shift costs to homeowners’ insurance.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of curb
Verb
  • Firestar operated a large factory inside Surat’s Special Economic Zone, a duty-free enclave that allowed the company to cut, polish and manufacture jewelry for export markets.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Oznur Bell One of the journey’s guides, who was operating the vessel, spotted the hippo and slowed the boat in an attempt not to disturb it, Oznur said.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • China can link humanitarian assistance, openness to border trade, energy supplies, and the provision of infrastructure to North Korea’s willingness to restrain its military threats.
    — ZHENG JIYONG, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Cunningham had to be restrained following the play and appeared to show her teammates that her mouth was bleeding.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of restrain
Verb
  • Hines, 66, appealed unsuccessfully to the governor and the courts, saying that the doctor who oversaw the May execution was unqualified and likely to botch his execution as well.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The new owners took over the keys to a tired and decaying club in the spring and have since overseen a summer renovation that has stretched from assembling a new first-team squad to restoring hot water to Hillsborough.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of oversee

Browse Nearby Words

regulars
regulate
regulated
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Cite this Entry

“Regulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regulate. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of regulate for Spanish Speakers

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