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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about
the company's finances are governed by its chief financial officer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of govern
The Scottish National Party, which has governed in Edinburgh since 2007, won another term but fell short of a majority, meaning an independence referendum is unlikely.
—
ABC News, 9 May 2026
The Board of Supervisors, the county’s five-member governing body, oversees a budget of nearly $11 billion and 18,000 employees across various departments, including public health, public safety, social services, animal care and public works.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
And while the law largely governs toxins, the rollback has also undermined action on climate change, including repealing the legal theory used to classify greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide as regulated pollutants.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
On board was an impatient young scientist wanting to understand the math and science governing how river channels should behave.
—Robert M. Thorson, The Conversation, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for govern
ABC News, 9 May 2026
The Board of Supervisors, the county’s five-member governing body, oversees a budget of nearly $11 billion and 18,000 employees across various departments, including public health, public safety, social services, animal care and public works.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
And while the law largely governs toxins, the rollback has also undermined action on climate change, including repealing the legal theory used to classify greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide as regulated pollutants.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
On board was an impatient young scientist wanting to understand the math and science governing how river channels should behave.
—Robert M. Thorson, The Conversation, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for govern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern
Verb
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Hicks' cause of death was asphyxiation and his manner of death was ruled a suicide.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
Since the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled against the arcades in 2022, police have started cracking down.—
Jeff A. Chamer
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In a sane world, Congress would put a stop to it and reassert its own power to regulate import duties; unfortunately, this particular GOP Congress seems content enough to be a lapdog watching Trump usurp them and damage the economy and our international standing.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
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The legislature has also put in place more requirements for towns to have fair rent commissions, which are local bodies that have the ability to respond to complaints and regulate rents.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Reece James ticks the most boxes, but would need to be managed through a tournament that could involve eight matches in 33 days.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Analysts also cheered the launch of software tools for developers and AI agents to manage and transact with USDC, Circle's flagship stablecoin.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The war in Myanmar has displaced millions, divided the country into military- and non-military-controlled areas, and gutted the economy and healthcare system.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, PSP is caused by damage to nerve cells in areas of the brain that control thinking and body movements.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
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According to a source briefed on the situation, the illness was contained to the Victoire.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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The public ferry contains a ramp, but wheelchair users arriving by the small guest-only boats will need assistance getting on and off.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Despite the lawsuit, Young and the Chrome Hearts continued to operate under that moniker, playing a string of gigs together before Young canceled the entirety of their 2026 tour.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2026
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Those relationships matter because the next insurance commissioner cannot operate in a silo.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Huntington Beach fell behind early in the second set but continued to keep the set close before Fruerbringer’s kill gave the Mustangs a 16-11 lead.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
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Take care not to overmix; keeping some larger pieces of tuna in the mix ensures a more satisfying texture, rather than something closer to tuna salad (delicious, just not the goal here).—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Schiraldi oversaw a particularly difficult period on Rikers.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Known for opulent dining rooms and chic bistros from Hong Kong to Palm Beach, 71-year-old Daniel Boulud has overseen his eponymous flagship on the Upper East Side of Manhattan — site of THR‘s New York issue party — for over 30 years.—
Beth Landman,
HollywoodReporter,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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