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 Matthews and his team were intrigued by how this mechanism works, but realized that using air sacs to regulate buoyancy while diving presents a problem. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 23 July 2026 The number of restaurants in the area is not regulated, and restaurants already are allowed to sell alcohol, according to the staff report. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026 Movement helps regulate stress hormones, can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, may improve mood in ways that make falling asleep easier, and supports the body’s natural sleep-wake rhythms. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026 However, many sleep experts favor permanent standard time because morning light helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. — Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 23 July 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
  • Tate’s case previously included three counts of rape, four counts of actual bodily harm, two counts of human trafficking and one count of controlling prostitution for gain.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 July 2026
  • As for possible problems; a common Jeep issue is the smart fuse box—TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module)—which controls many aspects of the electrical system, including when various modules shut down after the key is turned off.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Definition of control
Verb
  • For more advice on how to manage awkward conversations at family parties, click here.
    — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 18 July 2026
  • Joe McCarthy carried the ball strongly and Josh van der Flier went close before McCarthy managed to drive over the line.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • At the time of his death, Garcia-Sanchez was hauling asbestos-containing materials from the ninth floor to lower levels using a freight elevator, the report said.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • The fire, which started Saturday, July 18, burned 2,035 acres but is now 100% contained.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Coaches are expected to teach skills, manage parents, monitor safety, build culture, communicate constantly, supervise travel, run offseason activities and win.
    — Timothy Baghurst, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • Diego Amson, Brad Tiemann and Joe Awgul serve as co-exec producers, Margaret Morales is supervising producer and Benjamin Hurvitz and Melissa Tallerine exec produce for MTV.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 July 2026
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • In another effort to curb the invasive species, Florida hosts an annual python challenge, where hunters can sign up to humanely kill the reptiles to stop the species’ spread throughout the state.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • Policymakers are urged to further expand site-neutral payment to curb consolidation and lower healthcare expenses.
    — Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of curb
Verb
  • The aircraft is operated by the private charter division of Qatar Airways, a World Cup sponsor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which operates the hub off Russia’s Black Sea coast, said two tankers had been hit and that oil loading has been stopped.
    — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • For such a conspicuous color, the look was surprisingly restrained.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 20 July 2026
  • The video shows Fakir lying face down on the ground ‌while two officers restrain him.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 20 July 2026
Definition of restrain
Verb
  • The Young Parents Project will close July 31 after Citrus Health Network, the lead agency overseeing Miami-Dade’s child welfare system and a partner of the program for five years, eliminated its $577,453 contract to help address a budget deficit.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, who previously oversaw the prosecution against Hermes, declined to comment on the closed criminal case or Hermes’ campaign.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 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 25 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of regulate for Spanish Speakers

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