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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rules
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Both levels are far above EU rules demanding that individual members’ deficits should not exceed 3% of GDP, while their public debt should not surpass 60% of economic output.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
The company says the legislation, shaped by lessons from last year’s failed SB 1047, strikes the right balance by mandating transparency without imposing rigid technical rules.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Abbott could also direct the the Department of State Health Services to create rules around THC regulation, which is what is expected, according to The Tribune’s report.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
While many students across Michigan face rules from districts or teachers limiting their phone use, the state has no law in place standardizing cellphone restrictions across school districts.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers in California responded in kind, approving a measure to put a proposal on the November ballot that would suspend current redistricting rules and allow Democrats to gain a similar number of seats.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Xi sees an opportune moment to make what might be his most dramatic showing yet of his challenge to a world based on Western rules and sensibilities.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
In a rare move, the panel in Atlanta also voted 2-1 to stop the environmental groups’ case from proceeding in Miami federal court until the appeals court rules on the merits of the state’s request to lift the judge’s injunction.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
The bill would update Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules so students age 18 to 21 enrolled in CTE programs can work part time without their earnings counting against their or their family's current SNAP benefits.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
In the poll, for example, 82% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats said the president is required to follow Court rulings when the Court rules against him.
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Read below to find out what rules contestants must abide by in order to compete in the longstanding competition.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Parents will gain the ability to control how ChatGPT responds, with age-appropriate behavior rules on by default.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
The panel was asked whether Russia rules the world today.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Once Upon a Time Step into the charming coastal town of Storybrooke, Maine, where fairy-tale characters are suspended in time and stripped of their memories — all except for the Evil Queen, Regina (Lana Parrilla), who rules as mayor and author of the curse.
—James Mercadante, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
See rules for Competitive Wordle toward the end of this post.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Both levels are far above EU rules demanding that individual members’ deficits should not exceed 3% of GDP, while their public debt should not surpass 60% of economic output.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
The company says the legislation, shaped by lessons from last year’s failed SB 1047, strikes the right balance by mandating transparency without imposing rigid technical rules.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Abbott could also direct the the Department of State Health Services to create rules around THC regulation, which is what is expected, according to The Tribune’s report.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
While many students across Michigan face rules from districts or teachers limiting their phone use, the state has no law in place standardizing cellphone restrictions across school districts.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers in California responded in kind, approving a measure to put a proposal on the November ballot that would suspend current redistricting rules and allow Democrats to gain a similar number of seats.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Xi sees an opportune moment to make what might be his most dramatic showing yet of his challenge to a world based on Western rules and sensibilities.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Once again, rumore rules over all, to the amusement of the diners.
—Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
In a rare move, the panel in Atlanta also voted 2-1 to stop the environmental groups’ case from proceeding in Miami federal court until the appeals court rules on the merits of the state’s request to lift the judge’s injunction.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
The bill would update Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules so students age 18 to 21 enrolled in CTE programs can work part time without their earnings counting against their or their family's current SNAP benefits.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
In the poll, for example, 82% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats said the president is required to follow Court rulings when the Court rules against him.
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Read below to find out what rules contestants must abide by in order to compete in the longstanding competition.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Parents will gain the ability to control how ChatGPT responds, with age-appropriate behavior rules on by default.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
The panel was asked whether Russia rules the world today.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Once Upon a Time Step into the charming coastal town of Storybrooke, Maine, where fairy-tale characters are suspended in time and stripped of their memories — all except for the Evil Queen, Regina (Lana Parrilla), who rules as mayor and author of the curse.
—James Mercadante, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
In November 2023, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology introduced new social media regulations, requiring platforms to register with the government, set up a local contact point, appoint a grievance officer and designate an oversight official.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the penalties for companies that do try to operate in the EU under onerous and complex regulations have been hefty.—
David Doty,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
African governments have long complained that ratings agencies unfairly downgrade them relative to non-African peers, pushing up borrowing costs.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Expect governments to tighten rules, requiring companies to track and disclose their dependencies.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
TCUs counter these barriers by embedding Native culture, language, and traditions into curricula and campus life.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The kitchen turns out dishes influenced by a range of traditions, and with the recent addition of the renowned chef Byron Rubio, the menu is reaching new heights of creativity and refinement.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The sprawling facility is the nucleus for much of the US Air Force’s operations in the Middle East, and US Central Command, which governs American operations in the region, would view any unidentified incoming aircraft as a potential threat.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Carlson pressed him on what moral framework governs those decisions.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Uniquely, Google controls both its hardware and software, unlike all other Android OEMs including Samsung, the largest of them all.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
History is also on their side because the party that controls the White House has nearly always lost House seats in the midterm elections going back to 1938.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Critics argued that such laws were exclusionary in a nation built on immigration.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Asma and other members of the group were taken from their Delhi homes in the evening, but that may be in contravention of Indian laws which say that women cannot be detained after sunset or before sunrise except in certain circumstances.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
According to the Center on Presidential Transition, the average time to confirm a president's nominee has nearly quadrupled from an average of 49 days to 193 days during the last six presidential administrations.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
-
America hasn't seen substantial gains in pay equity or general support for women workers for the last several administrations, Robbins said.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Common sense dictates that Marlowe simply kept his head down for a few hundred years, went to Memphis, and popped up as Elvis Presley.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Additionally, the law dictates that state scholarship funding used in high school for more than 29 credit hours will reduce the Arkansas Access to Acceleration scholarship funding that's available to students after high school.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share