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

Successful candidates will then be invited to spend a day at the bank’s offices where they are tested on banking regulation, their use of AI, and their ability to build calculations. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 That is especially true in California where lawmakers in recent years have pushed through ambitious regulations in the face of strong opposition and lawsuit threats from companies. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Gunnar Knapp, a professor emeritus at the University of Alaska Anchorage and a prominent fishery economist, told me that the trawling issue has become about more than just fishing regulations. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 Reasons included understaffing at the USDA, especially in the wake of the Department of Government Efficiency’s cuts last year, and a backlog of other regulations that the White House budget office had prioritized. — Eli Hager, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for regulation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for regulation

Noun

Voters in six states will soon decide whether to impose or expand voter identification requirements, including rules requiring mail voters to provide part of a driver’s license or Social Security number.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Oct. 2026
Some states, however, have chosen not to adopt the federal rule because of concerns about near-term revenue losses.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of rule

Noun

In doing so, the emirate has built resilience through diversified desalination, energy demand management, and long-term infrastructure planning.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Its eventual deployment could help the university explore how emerging aircraft fit into policing, emergency management, and engineering education.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of management

Noun

Gaps in governance, limited visibility into usage and costs, and restrictive vendor terms further complicate oversight—underscoring the need for stronger cost controls as organizations scale AI.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
By weeks 8–12, deploy the model in production with human oversight and a robust governance framework.

— Santanu Boral, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of oversight

Adjective

Federal authorities on Monday charged more than two dozen legal permanent residents in California in a crackdown on people accused of illegally voting or registering to do so.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Florida law imposes limits on direct contributions to state candidates but generally allows political committees to accept unlimited contributions, subject to applicable reporting and other legal requirements.

— Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of legal

Noun

Florida law imposes limits on direct contributions to state candidates but generally allows political committees to accept unlimited contributions, subject to applicable reporting and other legal requirements.

— Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Twenty-seven states — including all where Republicans control both the legislature and governor’s office — already have such laws.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of law

Noun

Budget for training, supervision and continuity alongside implementation.

— Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
The root of the conflict is the Colorado River Compact, negotiated in 1922 among the seven states of the Colorado watershed under the supervision of the then-Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of supervision

Noun

By the end of the Biden administration, there were over 400 co-stewardship or co-management agreements with tribes, 159 within the National Park Service alone, says Sams.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
The company’s founder has sued Kao, saying his stewardship defrauded Navatek of millions.

— Molly Redden, ProPublica, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of stewardship

Adjective

California officials have countered that the list is unverified and includes the names of lawful voters, despite recent charges announced by DOJ of roughly 28 individuals from the list accused of voting and immigration-related crimes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
For now, courts have blocked the most consequential provisions of both orders, primarily on the ground that the President has no lawful authority to impose them.

— Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of lawful

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“Regulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regulation. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of regulation

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