GOVERN Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

govern

verb

ˈgə-vərn

Definition of govern

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

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of govern The first is the creative layer that reads processes, understands context and produces the rules that govern how work should be done. — Binny Gill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 My book traces the story of these three sisters painted by Renoir to see how the effects of Dreyfus, of ever-rising antisemitism and two world wars, governed their lives. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 Alcohol processing does follow a circadian rhythm, governed by the same internal clock that regulates body temperature and cortisol. — Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026 Each continent also has a governing body, and those three have already endorsed him for reelection. — Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for govern

Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern

Verb

And Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party are among the sternest voices of opposition to such a change.

— Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
According to the report, Garrett’s cause of death is listed as acute fentanyl toxicity, with the manner of death ruled an accident.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 July 2026

Definition of rule

Verb

Both companies are betting that medicines modeled on human GLP-1 drugs can help regulate appetite in pets, and top-line results of their clinical trials are expected to be released later this year.

— Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters involved in sleep and supports muscle relaxation.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

Tate’s case previously included three counts of rape, four counts of actual bodily harm, two counts of human trafficking and one count of controlling prostitution for gain.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 July 2026
As for possible problems; a common Jeep issue is the smart fuse box—TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module)—which controls many aspects of the electrical system, including when various modules shut down after the key is turned off.

— John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

Definition of control

Verb

During Arriaga’s autopsy, medical examiners found her blood to contain the opiate Demerol at 793 nanograms per milliliter, according to the warrant.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
Each cluster contained a simple RLC resonator — a resistor, capacitor, and inductor, a combination that creates an oscillating electrical signal at a particular frequency.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

The aircraft is operated by the private charter division of Qatar Airways, a World Cup sponsor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which operates the hub off Russia’s Black Sea coast, said two tankers had been hit and that oil loading has been stopped.

— Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

Definition of operate

Verb

Ify’s box contains a fake $100 bill, but Catherine decides to keep her box.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
James McConnell The 21-year-old central midfielder returned to action at the end of last season, playing for the under-21s and training with the first team after an injury kept him out of action for a large portion of the campaign.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of keep

Verb

The former youth pastor suspected of pushing his wife off a Utah cliff died by suicide in a very unusual way, said the sheriff who oversees Las Vegas’ jails.

— Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
In-house production and events take in overseeing concept, production, and on‑site management of film galas, premieres, special events and industry activations.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 16 July 2026

Definition of oversee

Browse Nearby Words

gourmets

govern

governable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of govern

verb

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