REGULATION Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'regulation' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of regulation are canon , law , ordinance , precept , rule , and statute . While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system. // regulations affecting nuclear power plants

Q: When could 'canon' be used to replace 'regulation'?

While the synonyms canon and regulation are close in meaning, canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide. // the canons of good taste

Q: When is 'law' a more appropriate choice than 'regulation'?

Although the words law and regulation have much in common, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority. // obey the law

Q: When might 'ordinance' be a better fit than 'regulation'?

While in some cases nearly identical to regulation , ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality. // a city ordinance

Q: When is it sensible to use 'precept' instead of 'regulation'?

The words precept and regulation can be used in similar contexts, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching. // the precepts of effective writing

Q: When can 'rule' be used instead of 'regulation'?

In some situations, the words rule and regulation are roughly equivalent. However, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations. // the rules of the game

Q: When would 'statute' be a good substitute for 'regulation'?

The words statute and regulation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body. // a statute requiring the use of seat belts

regulation 1 of 2

noun

ˌre-gyə-ˈlā-shən

Definition of regulation

as in rule

a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity it's against community regulations to leave your trash on the curb for more than two days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in management

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something the owner seldom visited the plant and did not take an active part in the regulation of the company

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in oversight

the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control the regulation of the soccer team was left entirely to the head coach and her assistants

Synonyms & Similar Words

regulation

2 of 2

adjective

as in legal

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word regulation distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of regulation are canon, law, ordinance, precept, rule, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When could canon be used to replace regulation?

While the synonyms canon and regulation are close in meaning, canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When is law a more appropriate choice than regulation?

Although the words law and regulation have much in common, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When might ordinance be a better fit than regulation?

While in some cases nearly identical to regulation, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

When is it sensible to use precept instead of regulation?

The words precept and regulation can be used in similar contexts, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

When can rule be used instead of regulation?

In some situations, the words rule and regulation are roughly equivalent. However, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When would statute be a good substitute for regulation?

The words statute and regulation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

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 regulation

Noun

But these are ad hoc projects, not a coordinated strategy involving tariffs, regulation, and pooled resources to create a true united front against China’s industrial onslaught. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The Democratic governor has acknowledged the challenge of adopting regulations that protect the public without going too far and potentially stifling the technology industry’s growth, which brings critical revenue to the state budget. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The duo's move paved the way for an immediate vote on a bill to protect lobstermen from new federal whale-protection regulations. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 The bill extends the deadlines for the federal government to issue new regulations on lobster and crab fishing. — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for regulation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for regulation

Noun

The Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC have all passed similar rules against signing the players, along with penalties against teams for doing so.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Fisheries as the sticking point Under EU rules, fishing quotas are based on historical fishing patterns, among other things.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of rule

Noun

In addition to speech, our management of a localized fire for food, safety, and comfort is another uniquely human behavior, one that seems to have coincided with the development of complex spoken language.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Shelley served as the Warriors’ associate general counsel and director of business and legal affairs and risk management, and Vasquez was the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of management

Noun

The conflicting rulings from the 3rd and 9th circuit courts have provided an opportunity for the Supreme Court to get involved and review which regulator should have oversight of prediction markets, Bank of America said in a Monday note.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
After injection begins, engineering oversight must track subsurface fluid movement.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of oversight

Adjective

The whipsawing legal battle could have major ramifications for the midterms.

— Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Below, experts provide legal advice on how to handle this situation and keep things as smooth as possible, along with simple yard cleaning tips to help keep your landscape tidy.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of legal

Noun

Bonta, New York's Attorney General Letitia James, and 14 other state attorneys filed a lawsuit against TikTok in 2024 for violating consumer protection laws.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Courts in Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere aren’t bound by 10th Circuit precedent and can reach different or even opposite decisions on the exact same questions of law.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of law

Noun

Many renovations are complete, including the transformation of one building into shop rooms full of tools that students will use to work on real-world projects under faculty supervision.

— Jon Marcus, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, a current CFPB staffer told ProPublica that the number of policy attorneys, who help direct supervision work and identify violations of law, had shrunk from typically between 40 and 50 lawyers down to five.

— Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervision

Noun

But a group of local Jewish organizations object to his stewardship of a key cultural venue in the city.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
Since Jerry Buss built the Lakers into the NBA’s most glamorous franchise during four decades of stewardship, the team will now have a third controlling owner in as many years.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stewardship

Adjective

Anthropic wanted assurance that its technology would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance, and the DOD wanted Anthropic to grant the agency unfettered access to Claude across all lawful purposes.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Anthropic sought to prevent Claude from being used for mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, but the military argued it should be allowed to use the model for all lawful purposes.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lawful

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“Regulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regulation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of regulation

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