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

Packaging policies gaining ground in the US Unlike the EPR policies in Europe that are enacted at the national level and guided by European Union-wide regulation, EPR in the United States is emerging at the state level. — Erin Victor, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 Elsewhere, there is still defensive cover to sign — but the spectre of financial regulations continues to hang over the club. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Organizers say cheap land and light regulation are drawing developers to the region. — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 In response to these concerns, Pérez said the new legislation will provide state agencies with more time to enact regulations instead of mandating immediate state oversight. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 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

Another win was with a European car maker that replaced its next-gen Endpoint Detection and Response, legacy SIEM, and legacy vulnerability management product with an eight-figure net-new Falcon Flex.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Florida is launching a new initiative to encourage more students to choose careers in emergency management, which the governor announced a week after a shakeup in leadership at the state’s Department of Emergency Management.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of management

Noun

If Democrats retake the House in November, Moskowtiz would be positioned to chair the panel, giving him a prominent perch over legislation and oversight involving Israel and the broader region.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026
The marketing deal raises questions about corporate oversight and could, in the near term, supply additional ammunition to short sellers that have been aggressively betting against DraftKings’ share price for the bulk of 2026.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 26 Aug. 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

As part of this, ACFM is partnering with global marketing and advertising agency Innocean to co-host the ‘Cinema by Brand 2026’ competition, with the Producers Guild of Korea (PGK) responsible for the selection process and production supervision.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
She was sentenced to eight years in prison and three years of extended supervision.

— Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 26 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of regulation

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adjective

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