Regulate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt/ reg·u·late

Meaning & Definition of Regulate

Regulate (verb)

  1. to govern or direct according to rule
  2. to bring under the control of law or constituted authority
  3. to make regulations for or concerning

Regulate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame
    related: bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow, arrest, interrupt, stop, block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct, gag, muzzle, silence
    opposite: lose
    near: liberate, loose, loosen, unleash, air, express, take out, vent

  2. to look after and make decisions about

    "the government agency that regulates the nuclear power industry in this country"

    similar: administer, administrate, carry on, conduct, control, direct, govern, guide, handle, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend, watch over
    related: care (for), mind, watch, lead, pilot, steer, guard, protect, safeguard, micromanage, stage-manage, codirect, comanage

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Regulate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Regulate:

bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame, administer, administrate, carry on, conduct, direct, guide, handle, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend, watch over

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Regulate

Words with the opposite meaning of Regulate:

lose

Related Words for Regulate

bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow, arrest, interrupt, stop, block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct, gag, muzzle, silence, care (for), mind, watch, lead

Near Antonyms of Regulate

liberate, loose, loosen, unleash, air, express, take out, vent

Word Forms of Regulate

Inflections: regulated, regulating

Derived words: regulative (adjective), regulatory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Regulate

Middle English, from Late Latin regulatus, past participle of regulare, from Latin regula rule

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Regulate

Words & Phrases Containing Regulate

self-regulate

Frequently Asked Questions about Regulate

What does "Regulate" mean?

"Regulate" means to govern or direct according to rule. As a verb, it is defined as: to govern or direct according to rule. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Regulate"?

Other words for "Regulate" include bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern and hold. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Regulate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Regulate"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Regulate". Common alternatives include bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit and keep.

What is the opposite of "Regulate"?

Antonyms of "Regulate" include lose. Near antonyms include liberate, loose, loosen and unleash.

How do you use "Regulate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Regulate" in a sentence: "you would be well advised to regulate your enthusiasm for the venture and pause to consider the risk involved"; "the government agency that regulates the nuclear power industry in this country".

Is "Regulate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Regulate" is a verb.

Is "Regulate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Regulate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Regulate"?

"Regulate" is pronounced /ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt/ and divided into syllables as reg·u·late.