GOVERN Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

govern

verb

ˈgə-vərn

Definition of govern

as in to rule

to exercise authority or power over the president is elected in order to govern the country, not to follow public opinion polls

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as in to regulate

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you need to govern your speech and be able to communicate your outrage without resorting to profanity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to manage

to look after and make decisions about the company's finances are governed by its chief financial officer

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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 govern The test will be whether the Student List can transition their popular mobilization in the streets into a viable political option that can win an election and govern a country that hasn’t undergone a political transition in over a decade. — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 According to its governing body, the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA), which was founded in 2000, Nordic walking is now practised in over 40 countries for health, fitness, recreation, social connection, and competitive sport. — Lola Akinmade, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026 Some members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition opposed the law, however, and right-wing opposition parties filed petitions to challenge it in court. — Hannah Ridge, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026 Researchers from competing companies shared their findings in common channels, with no contracts governing the arrangement. — Harry Booth, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for govern

Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern

Verb

The Students' List movement swept the parliamentary election on Sunday against Vucic's right-wing Serbian Progressive Party, which has ruled unchallenged for 14 years.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Providing direct service to the ruling family confers honor on North Korean officials and their households, so Thae expected his two sons to be impressed.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of rule

Verb

The office regulates home and auto insurance rates — two costs that Californians are especially aware of — and the candidates campaigned on differing visions for the role.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
The carbon overlayer regulates subsequent growth, potentially limiting uneven deposition and stabilizing the region where tin and lithium interact.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

Union Berlin managed to draw at Augsburg 1-1 after a player from each was sent off in separate incidents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
The winner will gain one of five seats on the board that runs the highway district, which is responsible for building, managing and maintaining local roads and bridges countywide — as well as setting ACHD’s nearly $260 million annual budget.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of manage

Verb

In her latest book, Harvard historian Jill Lepore argues that Big Tech now controls the United States—and, by extension, the entire planet.

— Nina Verdelli, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
He was angered when the team's controlling owner moved the team to Atlanta for the 1966 season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of control

Verb

But there are actual terrifying objects in space, entities operating on a scale that crush our minds and reduce our human experience to a mote of dust floating in the dark.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
Military bases would need reliable fuel distribution, water treatment, secure communications, functioning maintenance systems and personnel capable of operating under emergency conditions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of operate

Verb

Capricorn December 22 – January 19 The shared goal might have changed while everyone kept following the plan.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 4 Nov. 2026
Hudson runs House Republicans’ campaign arm and was projected to keep his seat leading into Election Day.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of keep

Verb

The state superintendent of public instruction, until now, was tasked with overseeing the California Department of Education and executing the state Board of Education’s policies.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Hedge fund manager Aaron Sosnick, who has advocated for an expansion in the city’s bike lane network, put $8 million into a pair of committees that have promoted Raman, including the one overseen by the carpenters.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of oversee

Browse Nearby Words

gourmets

govern

governable

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of govern

verb

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