RULES, Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

rules 1 of 2

noun

plural of rule

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

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Relevance

as in governments

lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation) the years during which Russia was under Communist rule

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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

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rules

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rule

as in governs

to exercise authority or power over a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 rules

Noun

All medical specialties have rules for filling out their notes, and ABA providers shouldn’t need the state to tell them that copying and pasting the same summary for each session, as the inspectors found in some cases, wasn’t good enough, Bimestefer said. —

Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026 Teams are required to demonstrate that there was a misapplication of the official playing rules, as opposed to an error in judgment by game officials, according to the NBA. —

Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026 Like all major sports properties, particularly longer tournaments like the Olympics or World Cup, the NCAA must constantly balance the merits of strictly enforcing its marketing and licensing rules against the possible benefits of allowing more people to promote and spread its IP. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Mar. 2026 After six years of inflation, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission changed its rules on updating road and transit project prices. —

Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026 British broadcasting rules allowed for a liberal sprinkling of F-words. —

ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026 Insurance rules feel like a maze. —

Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Mar. 2026 But rules at the time said if the runner-up in any category came within three votes of the winner, they would both get rewarded. —

Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 Colbert instead did the interview and posted it on YouTube, where FCC rules don’t apply. —

Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026

Verb

That means trade will begin in May and halt only if the European Court of Justice rules against it. —

ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026 In the off-chance that the Supreme Court somehow rules against birthright citizenship, what’s the next step in this battle? —

Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026 Grapevine run rules Argyle behind Luke Esquivel Luke Esquivel allowed one hit over six innings and fanned 12 as Grapevine defeated Argyle 13-0 in a run-rule shortened District 6-5A game on Friday at Argyle High School. —

Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026 But nepotism rules everything around me, so why not The Immortal Man? —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 Three different hair types, yet one tool rules them all. —

Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026 At the center is the Hext family, an old-money institution that rules the city’s elite. —

Zac Ntim, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026 Although Kay’s not the real parent and that’s where Dorothy rules, Kay has a lot of opinions about [how Lucy is grieving]. —

Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026 Yet one reason that Conan now rules the Oscars like the new Jimmy Kimmel, if not the new Billy Crystal, is that the jokes were trimmed of the cutting sharpness the Oscars have flirted with in the past. —

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules

Noun

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors took a similar step last year, approving a set of regulations to deter the sale and marketing of kratom.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Trump signed an executive order in December to block states from crafting their own regulations.

— SEUNG MIN KIM, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026