GOVERN Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

govern

verb

ˈgə-vərn

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

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Recent Examples of govern If correct, that meant that something strange was going on with the particles governing radioactivity and with the rules of physics. —

Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026 The Fontainebleau Hotel is facing a lawsuit from condo owners in its Tresor and Sorrento towers who claim new rules governing unit rentals have the potential to financially ruin them. —

Larry Seward, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026 That should keep the mechanics and engineers quite busy, but in case not, technical representatives from each team as well as the FIA (the sport’s governing body) are sitting down throughout the month to try to fix some problems that are a consequence of F1’s new technical rules. —

Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2026 Wilton Rancheria lost its federal recognition — and its autonomy to govern — in 1959, when the California Rancheria Termination Acts were enacted. —

Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for govern

Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern

Verb

But Ceddanne Rafaela’s throw to the second base bag just barely beat Jahmai Jones’ slide, and while the Tigers designated hitter was initially ruled safe, the play was overturned on replay.

— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Despite Hungary becoming one of Europe’s top production hubs over the past half-decade, Káel has been widely criticized for his ties to the ruling Fidesz party and the end of his mandate comes as no surprise.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026