Modify vs Regulate - What's the difference?

As verbs the difference between modify and regulate

is that modify is to make partial changes to while regulate is to dictate policy.

(en-verb)

To make partial changes to.

To be or become modified.

* adapt, alter, amend, revamp, rework

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(regulat)

To dictate policy.

To control or direct according to rule, principle, or law.

* Macaulay

the laws which regulate the successions of the seasons

* Bancroft

The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own disputes, and regulated their own police.

To adjust to a particular specification or requirement: regulate temperature.

To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning.

to regulate a watch, i.e. adjust its rate of running so that it will keep approximately standard time

to regulate the temperature of a room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc.

To put or maintain in order.

to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances

to regulate one's eating habits

* deregulate * downregulate * upregulate

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