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
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Recent Examples of rules
Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Seat-time rules should never be the reason a capable student fails.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
On insurance reforms, Porter said that beyond demanding that insurance companies follow the rules, the state ought to modernize what’s covered under an insurance policy and how the industry processes and pays claims.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Police departments and academies have set clear rules about use of force and other issues.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
The organizations call the rules arbitrary and warn that the bans harm a civilian population desperately in need of aid.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Differing rules for direct, outside donations Statewide races can cost tens of millions of dollars to organize and get a campaign message across.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Georgetown law professor Steve Vladeck, a witness called by Democrats, said the nondisclosure process followed then-existing DOJ guidelines and that Congress only revised notification rules after a 2024 inspector general report.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
The District strictly enforces all applicable policies, rules, and laws, including those related to preventing abuse, harassment, and misconduct.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 24 Jan. 2026
Because the Rams play in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, NFL rules state that Scheelhaase can’t do in-person interviews until next week.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Shortening the dead period would allow for continuous training, rules education and film review—exactly what's needed to maintain consistency.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Trained from birth for this role, Thragg rules his people through strength, cruelty, and will – determined to restore Viltrum to its previous glory at any cost.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
Official rules state that runners are not allowed to bring anyone under 16 or anyone not wearing an official race bib onto the course.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 20 Jan. 2026
The sector may face another twist if the US Supreme Court rules Trump’s tariffs were issued illegally, a decision that could come as soon as Friday.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 8 Jan. 2026
If the Supreme Court rules that Trump’s new tariffs are unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the court could then say that companies that have paid the duties so far are entitled to refunds.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
That resting face rules the Indiana Hoosiers’ sideline and lives rent-free on social media.
—Candace Buckner, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
These may include skipping meals, ignoring hunger clues, relying on rigid food rules and cutting out entire food groups, according to Garcia-Benson.
—Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Seat-time rules should never be the reason a capable student fails.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
On insurance reforms, Porter said that beyond demanding that insurance companies follow the rules, the state ought to modernize what’s covered under an insurance policy and how the industry processes and pays claims.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Police departments and academies have set clear rules about use of force and other issues.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
The organizations call the rules arbitrary and warn that the bans harm a civilian population desperately in need of aid.
—Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Differing rules for direct, outside donations Statewide races can cost tens of millions of dollars to organize and get a campaign message across.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Georgetown law professor Steve Vladeck, a witness called by Democrats, said the nondisclosure process followed then-existing DOJ guidelines and that Congress only revised notification rules after a 2024 inspector general report.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
The District strictly enforces all applicable policies, rules, and laws, including those related to preventing abuse, harassment, and misconduct.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Autopsy rules Good's death a homicide More than two weeks after she was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent in Minnesota, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office ruled the death of Renee Good a homicide.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Jan. 2026
Because the Rams play in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, NFL rules state that Scheelhaase can’t do in-person interviews until next week.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Shortening the dead period would allow for continuous training, rules education and film review—exactly what's needed to maintain consistency.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Trained from birth for this role, Thragg rules his people through strength, cruelty, and will – determined to restore Viltrum to its previous glory at any cost.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
Official rules state that runners are not allowed to bring anyone under 16 or anyone not wearing an official race bib onto the course.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 20 Jan. 2026
The sector may face another twist if the US Supreme Court rules Trump’s tariffs were issued illegally, a decision that could come as soon as Friday.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 8 Jan. 2026
If the Supreme Court rules that Trump’s new tariffs are unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the court could then say that companies that have paid the duties so far are entitled to refunds.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
That resting face rules the Indiana Hoosiers’ sideline and lives rent-free on social media.
—Candace Buckner, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
The group hammered out details on things like identifying a chain of command for communication with ICE agents, talking through different possible scenarios and sorting through an understanding of judicial warrants and regulations.—
Beki San Martin,
Freep.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The loss of seats was needed to be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, Perry said.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
During last week’s legislative hearing in Sacramento, other speakers stressed the importance of communicating clearly with the public, collaborating with nonprofits and county governments and bracing for an influx of hospital patients.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Some major private donors are withdrawing contributions in disgust, and the federal and some state governments, as well as the courts, have attacked higher education’s administrative bloat and anti-merit DEI policies.—
Richard K. Vedder,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Kano and Northern Nigeria, this marks the start of the Durbar festival, an annual cultural, religious and equestrian celebration showcasing the rich heritage and traditions of the Hausa people.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
There’s a casual, authoritative swing to their performance that belies the stylistic range on the record; the songs touch upon different traditions, yet all sound of a piece.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The freedom to own silver without quantity restrictions stems from the same legal framework that governs gold ownership.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The cause of death is under investigation pending a determination by the state medical examiner, said Mark Opgrande, communications director for the jail and the public trust that governs it.—
Richard Mize,
Oklahoman,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These days, Shane’s dad controls all of his money; paychecks are deposited not in his own account, but in his dad’s.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Israel said the crossing had opened in a test, and the Israeli military agency that controls aid to Gaza said residents could begin crossing Monday.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While that is the standard that would be considered in a civil case, local investigators are also looking into whether any state laws were violated.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
This happens because of several factors, including changes in tax laws, annual IRS inflation adjustments and more.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Constitution has been perverted in ways by administrations on both sides of the aisle to facilitate military action.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Since the uprising that toppled Gadhafi, Libya plunged into chaos during which the oil-rich North African country split, with rival administrations now in the east and west, backed by various armed groups and foreign governments.—
Yousef Murad,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While reading develops cognitive agency by building a path through ideas, video dictates its own.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The bill, which advanced from the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday, would exempt Proposition 4 funding from review under the Administrative Procedure Act, which dictates how state agencies follow rules and regulations and can cause lengthy delays in implementing programs.—
Nadia Lathan,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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