Synonyms of govern

govern

verb

ˈgə-vərn 

1

as in to rule

to exercise authority or power over

the president is elected in order to govern the country, not to follow public opinion polls

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rule
• control
• dictate
• dominate
• manage
• command
• administer
• sway
• oversee
• regulate
• preside (over)
• domineer
• boss
• lead
• conduct
• captain
• supervise
• superintend
• direct
• oppress
• micromanage
• master
• lord (it over)
• conquer
• reign (over)
• subdue
• head
• subjugate
• tyrannize

2

as in to regulate

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)

you need to govern your speech and be able to communicate your outrage without resorting to profanity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• regulate
• control
• contain
• keep
• restrain
• curb
• measure
• constrain
• rule
• stifle
• suppress
• tame
• inhibit
• hold
• check
• stop
• pull in
• rein (in)
• bridle
• interrupt
• swallow
• hinder
• impede
• repress
• choke (back)
• hold back
• strangle
• obstruct
• smother
• hamper
• arrest
• block
• silence
• squelch
• sink
• mince
• muffle
• bottle (up)
• pocket
• handcuff
• muzzle
• gag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• liberate
• loosen
• express
• loose
• take out
• unleash
• vent
• air

3

as in to manage

to look after and make decisions about

the company's finances are governed by its chief financial officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of govern

Working conditions were often unsafe, and regulations governing these things were few and far between. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Most of her theater work was on new plays with living writers, which taught her to treat the script as a governing document. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

With unprecedented bipartisan support, Gloria was uniquely positioned to build a citywide coalition and provide San Diego with the visionary — and charismatic — leadership needed to govern a 21st-century global metropolis. — Carl Luna, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

The property management plan for the former oil field in Newport Beach that is being turned into passive open space for the public got a green light from the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority governing board this week. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026