1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about
the company's finances are governed by its chief financial officer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of govern
For gasoline is not only a commodity governed by normal supply and demand—it can also be caught up in momentous world events.
—
Daniel Yergin,
Time,
20 June 2026
Paz came to power in November, ending almost 20 years of uninterrupted rule by Bolivia’s Movement Toward Socialism party, or MAS, which governed during the worst economic crisis in a generation.
—
Paola Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Sometimes good software is cheaper, easier to govern and easier to explain.
—
Demetri Giannikopoulos,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Bass said the shooting demonstrates a need to review department policies governing encounters with dogs.
—
City News Service,
Daily News,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for govern
Daniel Yergin,
Time,
20 June 2026
Paz came to power in November, ending almost 20 years of uninterrupted rule by Bolivia’s Movement Toward Socialism party, or MAS, which governed during the worst economic crisis in a generation.
—
Paola Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Sometimes good software is cheaper, easier to govern and easier to explain.
—
Demetri Giannikopoulos,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Bass said the shooting demonstrates a need to review department policies governing encounters with dogs.
—
City News Service,
Daily News,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for govern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern
Verb
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Her death was initially ruled an accident, and Vander Meer later submitted a life insurance claim with a payout totaling about $567,439, authorities said.
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After a lengthy replay review, the referee ruled that Sulaka should be given a red card.
Verb
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State lawmakers have stepped back from earlier, wider-ranging attempts to regulate AI that were vetoed or otherwise derailed by governors who viewed the measures as too onerous toward the industry’s development, including efforts to hold developers accountable for bias in AI systems.
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The candidates in the crowded field have traded barbs about Bores’ supposed ties to Big Tech and outside groups have poured millions into the race both supporting and opposing his proposals to regulate artificial intelligence.
Verb
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Both Ghana and England will walk away with a point after Ghana managed to hold off England in a heart-pounding final few minutes of stoppage time.
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Most of the site sits on private land, with a smaller portion managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Verb
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France has largely dominated, controlling 68% of possession and creating a whopping seven shots on goal.
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Doing your nails at home gives you control over how aggressively the nail plate is filed and how gel is removed, which can lower the risk of long-term damage.
Verb
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Firefighters, meanwhile, quickly contained the blaze to a 10-by-10-foot area.
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Each kit contains five breakfasts and five lunches.
Verb
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Air Sprint, founded in 2000, operates a fleet of 44 jets for over 600 fractional owners and ranks eighth among North American operators by flight hours.
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Another pilot flying into Newark on a United Express flight operated by GoJet Airlines also reported seeing a drone at roughly 2,000 feet, according to ATC audio from around the same time.
Verb
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Following their arrival, word spread among law enforcement at Kansas City Stadium (aka Arrowhead) that the King and Queen were en route — and the path to the VVIP (yes, very very) entrance was cleared by FBI officials, who kept fans away from the area.
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Not surprisingly, the number keeps rising.
Verb
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After a 1980s split with Fidel Castro cost him the Interior Ministry, Valdés returned to power in the 2000s, overseeing telecommunications, serving as vice president and helping recover Che Guevara’s remains.
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The advisory board is overseen by the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District, a nonprofit formed to protect natural resources and promoting sustainable land use in Windham, New London and Tolland counties.
Cite this Entry
“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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