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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Relevance

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 first is the creative layer that reads processes, understands context and produces the rules that govern how work should be done. — Binny Gill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 My book traces the story of these three sisters painted by Renoir to see how the effects of Dreyfus, of ever-rising antisemitism and two world wars, governed their lives. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026 Alcohol processing does follow a circadian rhythm, governed by the same internal clock that regulates body temperature and cortisol. — Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026 Each continent also has a governing body, and those three have already endorsed him for reelection. — Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for govern

Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern

Verb

The big protest, which commemorates the Polytechnic Uprising, when in 1973 students took over the university in protest to the oppressive military junta that had seized power in a coup, and, supported by the US, ruled for seven years.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
And the tutorials explain that withdrawals after age 18 but before age 59½ that aren’t for eligible expenses incur a 10 percent penalty, which might help make learning about the IRA rules less shocking for young people later on.

— Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of rule

Verb

Both companies are betting that medicines modeled on human GLP-1 drugs can help regulate appetite in pets, and top-line results of their clinical trials are expected to be released later this year.

— Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters involved in sleep and supports muscle relaxation.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

Tate’s case previously included three counts of rape, four counts of actual bodily harm, two counts of human trafficking and one count of controlling prostitution for gain.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 July 2026
As for possible problems; a common Jeep issue is the smart fuse box—TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module)—which controls many aspects of the electrical system, including when various modules shut down after the key is turned off.

— John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

Definition of control

Verb

At the time of his death, Garcia-Sanchez was hauling asbestos-containing materials from the ninth floor to lower levels using a freight elevator, the report said.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
The fire, which started Saturday, July 18, burned 2,035 acres but is now 100% contained.

— Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

The aircraft is operated by the private charter division of Qatar Airways, a World Cup sponsor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which operates the hub off Russia’s Black Sea coast, said two tankers had been hit and that oil loading has been stopped.

— Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

Definition of operate

Verb

Tyler Glasnow is even further away from pitching in big-league games as his back spasms have kept him out for months.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Oil traffic through the strait has fallen dramatically again, and as oil prices keep moving higher while the situation in the Middle East intensifies every day.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of keep

Verb

The Young Parents Project will close July 31 after Citrus Health Network, the lead agency overseeing Miami-Dade’s child welfare system and a partner of the program for five years, eliminated its $577,453 contract to help address a budget deficit.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, who previously oversaw the prosecution against Hermes, declined to comment on the closed criminal case or Hermes’ campaign.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Definition of oversee

Browse Nearby Words

gourmets

govern

governable

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Style

“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of govern

verb

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