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 Additionally, the law prohibits the state from overriding local ordinances limiting, prohibiting or otherwise regulating data centers. — Des Moines Register, States Newsroom, 3 Sep. 2026 Down-regulating the nervous system releases micro-tensions trapped in muscles. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 The tragedy led to more than 120 countries signing the Minamata Convention on Mercury, an international treaty that sought to prevent future incidents of mercury poisoning by regulating the handling and use of the metal. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026 Another study showed that omega-3s may also help women with PCOS by lowering testosterone levels and regulating periods. — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for regulate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for regulate

Verb

During an operation, a surgeon controls robotic arms fitted with small instruments while viewing the surgical area through a three-dimensional vision system.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Japanese doctors have advised patients reporting rashes or difficulty controlling bowels after frequent use to stop until symptoms clear, per the AP.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

Verb

With much of the country's economy geared toward its lucrative and well-managed fishing industry, fishing rights have been a talking point in the run-up to the referendum.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Rebecca Sanders, a national safety practice leader at the transportation consulting firm Fehr & Peers, led a 2019 report at Arizona State University and Toole Design looking at various strategies used across the country to manage speed.

— Jeff McMurray, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of manage

Verb

The lawsuit filed by two former employees contains allegations that are false, misleading, and unsupported by credible evidence.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The lawsuit, first reported by the Times of San Diego, contains previously unreported details about the shooting and the events leading up to it.

— Will Carless, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

While not directly involved in controlling the system, humans give Spike rules of engagement all the while, supervising the entire system during operation.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Weerasethakul supervised the 4K restorations, which include remastered and remixed audio and new key art for each film.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

After all, why wouldn’t someone want to take one that could boost their fitness recovery, combat aging, curb hunger and trigger fat loss?

— Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
California lawmakers advance sweeping bills to curb Big Tech’s power, targeting addictive social media, artificial intelligence in the workplace and voracious data centers amid mounting public anxiety over technology’s harms.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of curb

Verb

Some help surgeons operate with greater precision, while others disinfect rooms, transport supplies, assist patients during rehabilitation, or provide comfort to people who are distressed.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Eight other reservoirs operated by the Bureau of Reclamation recently recorded the lowest levels in at least the last 30 years.

— Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of operate

Verb

Appropriately so, given the placid recent range and the clockwork mechanics of sector rotation and low-correlation restraining index-level volatility.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
This was the context for Justice Brewer’s remarks about Philip sober restraining Philip drunk.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrain

Verb

The actors first appeared together in 2001 movie Ocean’s 11, in which Clooney’s Danny oversees a group of thieves during an ambitious heist.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Fischer brings experience overseeing finance at a large public company accustomed to making long-term infrastructure investments.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of oversee

Browse Nearby Words

regulars

regulate

regulated

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Style

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

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Synonyms of regulate

verb

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