To control is to exercise a restraining or dominating influence over a person or thing. Regulate means to order or control by rule, method or established mode. A major shareholder may control a large block of shares in a company. The police may attempt to control an unruly mob. The Department of Civil Aviation regulates private and commercial flying: A government may regulate its balance-of-trade payments by controlling exports.

Direct stresses guidance and refers to the exercise of leadership: to direct a play. Direct may refer specifically to the control or conduct of affairs: to direct a large company. In this sense, it is close to manage , which emphasizes operational control : to manage a hotel; to manage a campaign. Of the two verbs, however, direct implies a stronger, overall control , while manage often refers to the actual running or handling of specific affairs, and may imply delegated authority. He personally directed the nation’s foreign policy. A person may be appointed to manage a business for the owner.

The verb administer implies official management and direction of affairs: a well-administered state government. It indicates the performing of executive functions and may be used of government or institutional officials. The head of a government department administer the funds allotted to his department. The vice-chancellor of a university may administer the establishment’s financial affairs. In a strictly legal sense, administer means to act as an executor or trustee in settling or managing an estate: to administer the estate of a deceased or incompetent person. To supervise an operation or an employee is to be in charge of assigning, directing an inspecting the work done. Like direct , supervise involves overseeing and guidance; but it indicates a more personal control than administer , and, like manage , may imply the exercise either of personal or of delegated authority: to act as a group leader and supervise a dozen workers. A housewife may supervise the work done by her maid. An office manager may supervise the work of several departments.

To govern is to control by authority, arbitrarily or constitutionally. Govern implies the exercise of knowledge and judgement as well as power, and usually involves systematic administration. To rule is more autocratic than to govern , implying the exercise of absolute or dictatorial power and the imposition of arbitrary commands. In a democracy, an administration governs with the consent of the majority. A dictator, by contrast, may rule (or govern ) with an iron hand. In a less specific sense, govern often refers to the exerting of any controlling influence: What motives governed his actions? It may also mean to keep in check, and in this sense it may serve as a more formal synonym for control : unable to govern (or control ) his temper.