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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of govern
That newfound confidence seems to govern much of Keough’s career lately.
—
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Despite the allegations not being upheld, FIFA, world football’s governing body, is expected to replace Dieperink with Willy Delajod, a French referee, sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 15 May 2026
With Starmer’s premiership in crisis amid a string of high-profile resignations and dozens of lawmakers calling on the Labour leader to step down or set a timeline for his departure, thoughts are turning to who could govern in his stead.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 15 May 2026
There is no national standard governing the use of tear gas and pepper spray, leaving federal immigration officers with more latitude to deploy the weapons than some local police departments have.
—Maya Miller, ProPublica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for govern
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Despite the allegations not being upheld, FIFA, world football’s governing body, is expected to replace Dieperink with Willy Delajod, a French referee, sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 15 May 2026
With Starmer’s premiership in crisis amid a string of high-profile resignations and dozens of lawmakers calling on the Labour leader to step down or set a timeline for his departure, thoughts are turning to who could govern in his stead.
—Tiago Ventura, Time, 15 May 2026
There is no national standard governing the use of tear gas and pepper spray, leaving federal immigration officers with more latitude to deploy the weapons than some local police departments have.
—Maya Miller, ProPublica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for govern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern
Verb
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Hicks' cause of death was asphyxiation and his manner of death was ruled a suicide.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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Since the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled against the arcades in 2022, police have started cracking down.—
Jeff A. Chamer
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Earlier this year the company released a REST API that lets regulated financial platforms bolt blockchain wallet functionality onto their existing products.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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Indeed, sodium is one of the body’s key electrolytes – a group of minerals that help regulate fluid balance and other important functions.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Rescue crews managed to pull 13 survivors from the lake, including a child, while five others were pronounced dead at the scene.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
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If his film’s fetishized heroine manages to claw her way back out by the end, conquering her daddy issues and taking on the boogeyman, most of us are still stuck down there.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The war in Myanmar has displaced millions, divided the country into military- and non-military-controlled areas, and gutted the economy and healthcare system.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, PSP is caused by damage to nerve cells in areas of the brain that control thinking and body movements.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Rare works by Joan Miró adorn the sixth-floor Presidential Suite, while the Royal Suite contains lithographs and modern artworks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Despite the lawsuit, Young and the Chrome Hearts continued to operate under that moniker, playing a string of gigs together before Young canceled the entirety of their 2026 tour.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2026
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Those relationships matter because the next insurance commissioner cannot operate in a silo.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The show gives the 11-year-old book a modern polish but keeps the slow-burn journey of lust and love.—
Jennifer McClellan,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
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Duff said that while lawmakers largely supported the provision and wanted to see state tourism dollars increase, it was left out due to funding concerns and needing to keep the state’s budget balanced.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Nuno, who succeeded Graham Potter in late September on a three-year deal, has overseen 36 games, losing 16, winning 11 and drawing nine.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Pieces of the answer involve manufacturing missteps, capital allocation, and a board that – by the assessment of many industry analysts – lacked the semiconductor expertise to oversee the technology decisions in front of it.—
Bryce Hoffman,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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