Meaning & use
regimes
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“regimes” is a form of “regime”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Governments or systems of rule, especially ones that are authoritarian or came to power by force.
Grammar: Plural of regime; used with are: the regimes were overthrown.
Patterns
- the regimes of somewhere
Several regimes in the region fell during the uprisings.
Historians compare the two regimes and their treatment of dissent.
Strict regimes often control the news.
nounpluralformal
Organized systems of rules or methods for doing something, such as managing a market or an organization.
Grammar: Plural of regime; often followed by an adjective: tax regimes, trade regimes.
Patterns
- regimes for something
Different countries have different tax regimes.
New regulatory regimes were introduced for banks.
Trade regimes can change when treaties are signed.
nounplural
Planned routines of diet, exercise or treatment followed to improve health or fitness.
Grammar: Plural of regime; in this sense regimen is also used.
Patterns
- a regime of something
The athletes follow tough training regimes.
Doctors discussed different treatment regimes for the illness.
Several diet regimes promise quick results.
Word forms
| singular | regime |
|---|
Common combinations
- authoritarian regimes
- Authoritarian regimes often limit free speech.
- tax regimes
- Companies compare tax regimes before moving abroad.
- overthrow regimes
- The protests helped overthrow two regimes.
- training regimes
- Their training regimes start before sunrise.
- regulatory regimes
- Banks face stricter regulatory regimes now.
Synonyms and how they differ
- governments
- Governments is neutral, while regimes often implies a harsh or illegitimate form of rule.
- systems
- Systems is a broader word for any organized arrangement, and does not suggest rule by a person or group.
- routines
- Routines are everyday habits, while regimes in health are more planned and strict.
Opposites
Word family
- regime noun
- one such system
- regimen noun
- a planned course of diet or treatment
- regimented adjective
- strictly organized and controlled
- regiment noun
- a military unit
Commonly confused: regimes or regimens? regimes or regiments?
regimes vs regimens
Regimens is the plural of regimen, the health-plan word. It is close in meaning to the health sense of regimes.
regimes vs regiments
Regiments are army units, not systems of rule.
Practice
Which word completes: Different countries have different tax ___.
Choose one answer.
Tax regimes are systems of rules for taxes. Regiments are army units and the other options do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “regimes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.