1
as in regulations
a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity
read the rules that are posted before you use the pool
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in governments
lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation)
the years during which Russia was under Communist rule
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in traditions
an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing
one of the sacred rules of that ancient society was respect for the elderly
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in governs
to exercise authority or power over
a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in controls
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
a monarch who is known for ruling her emotions with an iron hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rules
Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The gap helps explain why authorities are tightening FX rules even as exporters press for more predictable conversion mechanics.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
In fact, a loophole in the rules allowed Smith to give Jackson a job without a formal background check.
—USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
As open enrollment begins, Floridians should understand these rules aren’t just red tape.
—Alex Mejia Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
While age-verification technologies can help parents protect children online, the agency said firms are still bound by existing consumer protection rules governing data minimization, retention, and security.
—Barbara Booth, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
If necessary, defend your peace with personal rules.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
As always a number of this season’s high-profile screenplays aren’t eligible for a WGA Award because of the guild’s strict eligibility rules.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026
Some users have voiced anger at how the situation was handled, claiming that either Kalshi’s rules should have been communicated more clearly, or that its markets should have been more narrowly worded to avoid confusion.
—Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026
Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
On 11 February, Khomeini assumed leadership and established the theocratic government that still rules.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Mar. 2026
And council members raised additional questions about the multi-year project’s details, such as how the exact design came to be, how the temporary jail will operate while the permanent jail is built or how city rules for a 1% of a project’s budget going to art should be applied.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
Through antitrust cases brought by Ed O’Bannon, Shawne Alston, Grant House, Sedona Prince, RaeQuan Battle, Diego Pavia, Charles Bediako and others, NCAA rules restricting payment and eligibility opportunities for college athletes have been in the crosshairs of courts.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2026
If the panel rules in favor of the tour again, Rahm would be required to settle his fines or lose his membership, which would keep him off the Ryder Cup team next year.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The 4th house, which rules your private domain, is empowered alongside your equally private 12th house by today’s Moon-Chiron trine.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
In the book, rules that initially seem to make sense gradually shift — from getting fined for painting your house the wrong color to murder and blackmail.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
But Astrologically, people believe Mercury rules communication, travel and technology.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
The race could revive a pandemic-era rivalry between Kiley and Pan, who tussled over vaccine and public health rules while serving in the state Legislature.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The gap helps explain why authorities are tightening FX rules even as exporters press for more predictable conversion mechanics.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
In fact, a loophole in the rules allowed Smith to give Jackson a job without a formal background check.
—USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
As open enrollment begins, Floridians should understand these rules aren’t just red tape.
—Alex Mejia Garcia, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
While age-verification technologies can help parents protect children online, the agency said firms are still bound by existing consumer protection rules governing data minimization, retention, and security.
—Barbara Booth, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
If necessary, defend your peace with personal rules.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
As always a number of this season’s high-profile screenplays aren’t eligible for a WGA Award because of the guild’s strict eligibility rules.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026
Some users have voiced anger at how the situation was handled, claiming that either Kalshi’s rules should have been communicated more clearly, or that its markets should have been more narrowly worded to avoid confusion.
—Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
The investigation into her death was reopened 20 years later and once again rules an overdose, but the circumstances surrounding her death are still considered a mystery.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
On 11 February, Khomeini assumed leadership and established the theocratic government that still rules.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Mar. 2026
And council members raised additional questions about the multi-year project’s details, such as how the exact design came to be, how the temporary jail will operate while the permanent jail is built or how city rules for a 1% of a project’s budget going to art should be applied.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
Through antitrust cases brought by Ed O’Bannon, Shawne Alston, Grant House, Sedona Prince, RaeQuan Battle, Diego Pavia, Charles Bediako and others, NCAA rules restricting payment and eligibility opportunities for college athletes have been in the crosshairs of courts.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2026
If the panel rules in favor of the tour again, Rahm would be required to settle his fines or lose his membership, which would keep him off the Ryder Cup team next year.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
The 4th house, which rules your private domain, is empowered alongside your equally private 12th house by today’s Moon-Chiron trine.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
In the book, rules that initially seem to make sense gradually shift — from getting fined for painting your house the wrong color to murder and blackmail.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
But Astrologically, people believe Mercury rules communication, travel and technology.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
The departments of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development and Transportation, along with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, are instructed to eliminate regulations and update programs that are reducing residential development.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
These are settlements which are built even in violation of Israeli planning regulations, but, again, the vast majority of them are fully supported by the government.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Impala Platinum has opened formal talks with Zimbabwe’s central bank and lined up meetings with both the South African and Zimbabwean governments to press for clarity on Harare’s export-earnings policy, its CEO told Semafor, escalating a commercial cash-flow dispute into bilateral negotiations.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Asia’s governments will have to stretch their budgets or risk unleashing an inflation shock as the deepening conflict in the Middle East pushes oil prices past $100 a barrel.—
Claire Jiao,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yulia Denisyuk is an award-winning travel photographer and writer with a special interest in stories about artisan crafts and ancient traditions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Easter and the traditions associated with the holiday mean different things to different families.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The other Chapter 11 filing was made in November 2025 by the Castillo Grand Hotel Condominium Residences Association, which governs the condo-hotel units at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale oceanfront resort.—
Awilda Esteras,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The suit alleges several violations of the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies enact new policies, and asks the court to bar the policy from being implemented.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The team from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), working with scientists from The Ohio State University and Amphenol Corporation found that the new method controls heat flow in solid materials by using an electric field.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Pezeshkian's message, seemingly recorded in a hurry, underlined the limited powers exercised by the theocracy's leaders over the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which controls the hundreds of ballistic missiles targeting Israel and other countries.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For over a decade, California has had laws in place to protect transgender people from discrimination in the workplace, gym locker rooms, and schools.—
Lia Russell
March 13,
Sacbee.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Alexander Csergo, a Sydney business consultant, faces up to 15 years in prison after being the second person to be convicted under Australian laws against covert interference and espionage.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That alignment has made nuclear one of the rare domains where the direction of travel has proven durable across recent administrations.—
John Kerry,
semafor.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The sudden surge came with the change in presidential administrations, which is crucial because prediction markets are regulated via a federal commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As tradition dictates in the long-running slasher franchise, the film opens with a kill.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The bill dictates that the landlord's notice must include the date when the eviction is scheduled to be executed.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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