The Sherman Antitrust Act was primarily applied to regulate __________ in order to promote fair competition and prevent monopolies.

The Sherman Antitrust Act was primarily applied to regulate monopolistic and restrictive business practices in order to promote fair competition and prevent monopolies. By targeting agreements, price‑fixing, and exclusive contracts that stifle competition, the law seeks to keep markets open and fair for consumers and smaller firms. Courts examine whether a company’s conduct creates a monopoly or unfairly blocks rivals. For example, if a large retailer threatens to cut prices to drive a competitor out of business, the Act can be used to stop that practice. This helps ensure that no single company can dominate a market to the detriment of consumers.