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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rules
Gary Fields,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
While there are a few unspoken rules for the main course—most people stick to the classic protein, starch, and vegetable combo—appetizers can be practically anything.
—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
28 June 2026
Spousal and survivor benefits are both based on your husband’s work record, but they’re calculated using different rules.
—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 June 2026
But the data is clear that these vehicles, which follow traffic rules and make far fewer mistakes, are better drivers than we humans.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
The New York City Police Department, sometimes patrolling on horseback, enforces the rules, such as ensuring that the horses are not working in temperatures that exceed 89 degrees in the summer or drop below 18 degrees in the winter.
—
Andrea Sachs The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2026
Congress wants to be read in, and Congress has our rules and procedures that our founding fathers set up.
—
CBS News,
28 June 2026
But once the rules are finalized, the choice should become clear.
—
Jeffrey S. Trimbath,
Baltimore Sun,
28 June 2026
The lack of information generally is a big issue for blind travelers as well, along with airline and airport employees not understanding the rules that govern accommodations for blind passengers.
—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Matt Reigle Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
Best player available rules the day.
—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Aquarius rules communities, friendships, technology, social structures and the future, while Pluto retrograde turns the energy inward.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Rome rules the known world yet is collapsing from within.
—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
Presented with this opening, the IPAA later asked for stripper wells to be exempted from the methane rules entirely.
—
Alex Cuadros,
ProPublica,
16 June 2026
Judge rules Brad Raffensperger doesn’t have to let anyone watch his office compile results on election night.
—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
15 June 2026
For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA.
—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA.
—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Noun
That includes the 2013 Supreme Court decision that allowed states and counties with a history of discriminatory voting rules to make changes without prior approval from the Department of Justice.
—
Gary Fields,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
While there are a few unspoken rules for the main course—most people stick to the classic protein, starch, and vegetable combo—appetizers can be practically anything.
—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
28 June 2026
Spousal and survivor benefits are both based on your husband’s work record, but they’re calculated using different rules.
—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 June 2026
But the data is clear that these vehicles, which follow traffic rules and make far fewer mistakes, are better drivers than we humans.
—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
The New York City Police Department, sometimes patrolling on horseback, enforces the rules, such as ensuring that the horses are not working in temperatures that exceed 89 degrees in the summer or drop below 18 degrees in the winter.
—
Andrea Sachs The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2026
Congress wants to be read in, and Congress has our rules and procedures that our founding fathers set up.
—
CBS News,
28 June 2026
But once the rules are finalized, the choice should become clear.
—
Jeffrey S. Trimbath,
Baltimore Sun,
28 June 2026
The lack of information generally is a big issue for blind travelers as well, along with airline and airport employees not understanding the rules that govern accommodations for blind passengers.
—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Verb
He was called to the stewards and slapped with a one-race ban that rules him out of Sunday's Grand Prix.
—
Matt Reigle Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
Best player available rules the day.
—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Aquarius rules communities, friendships, technology, social structures and the future, while Pluto retrograde turns the energy inward.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Rome rules the known world yet is collapsing from within.
—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
Presented with this opening, the IPAA later asked for stripper wells to be exempted from the methane rules entirely.
—
Alex Cuadros,
ProPublica,
16 June 2026
Judge rules Brad Raffensperger doesn’t have to let anyone watch his office compile results on election night.
—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
15 June 2026
For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA.
—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA.
—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
Kirkmeyer has campaigned on affordability and safety issues, Bottoms is pushing for a redo of the state's education system among other things and Marx wants to cut regulations and lower the cost of living.
-
The investigation also compliments previous claims that CCC’s regulations impede coastal infrastructure projects, which has drawn criticism from multiple political fronts over the last year.
Noun
-
On Friday, the Israeli and Lebanese governments agreed a process by which the Lebanese military (LAF) would gradually take control of zones in southern Lebanon.
-
The findings come as governments around the world, including the UK, have proposed social media bans of their own.
Noun
-
Each exchange led to a conversation about how their traditions and lives differed.
-
Andronis describes the restaurant as a traditional Greek taverna set against the caldera cliffs, blending Greek traditions with Santorini’s romance and exclusivity.
Verb
-
The framework that currently governs Palestinian workers in Israel dates to 1994, when Israeli and Palestinian officials agreed to the Paris Protocol of the Oslo Accords.
-
Thomas added that Cancer is connected to home life, family, ancestry and emotional foundations, while Capricorn governs career, public image and professional success.
Verb
-
Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson.
-
The throttle that controls the aircraft’s engine power originated from an F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet that operates from aircraft carriers, whereas the stick comes from an F-117 Nighthawk stealth attack aircraft.
Noun
-
Starting in the late 1950s and accelerating in the 1970s, several states enacted laws that required a date label on certain foods.
-
The statement also said Blue Island police are focused on preventing crime, responding to emergencies and enforcing state and local laws, not federal immigration enforcement, as that’s the responsibility of federal agencies.
Noun
-
While there, Secretary Rubio pledged the administrations commitment to helping Venezuela recover from this week's deadly earthquakes.
-
Bolton is a longtime national security expert and attorney who has served in various Republican presidential administrations, spanning Ronald Reagan to Trump.
Noun
-
The values imparted to me throughout my public school education — equal opportunity, impartial justice, respect for expertise, basic honesty — have been abandoned by a new breed of politician that has turned governance itself into a blood sport.
-
Companies with larger market cap values, such as the top 25 listed below, generally tend to by more stable, while smaller companies can offer higher volatility, but greater growth potential.
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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