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govern

verb

ˈgə-vərn How to pronounce govern (audio)
Definition of governnext
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

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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

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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

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 extraordinary visibility of men standing beside women during Woman, Life, Freedom demonstrated how far parts of Iranian society have moved ahead of the state that governs them. — Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 Federal regulators already treat it differently from many other digital assets, and the legislation was principally intended to create a broader framework governing how cryptocurrencies are issued, sold and regulated. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026 The former trainer has seen the world’s marine parks and the laws that govern them change for the better since starting Dolphin Project decades ago, but the fight isn’t over for him or his son. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 Willingness To Govern Assess their willingness to govern, not just lend their name. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for govern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern
  1. rule
  2. regulate
  3. manage
  4. control
  5. contain
  6. operate
  7. keep
  8. oversee
Verb
  • But the refs ruled the backwards pass/lateral/whatever was actually a forward pass, no matter where the ball landed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Ruled by Europe’s longest-ruling Royal Family, Monaco’s palaces have housed real-life royalty for centuries on end.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of rule
Verb
  • Hundreds of those grants were later reinstated when a federal judge ruled that the slap-dash nature of the terminations violated the Administrative Procedures Act, which regulates how agencies are supposed to change policies.
    — Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The episode marked the latest instance of Congress trying and failing to advance AI legislation amid a growing debate over whether, if at all, to regulate the technology that industry leaders warn may pose doomsday threats to humanity.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • The Buffs totaled 348 yards but managed only one third-quarter score.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Because of the deliberately micro size, too, the team managing the Low can be nimble and respond both to community requests and wide releases in funny ways that Alamo and AMC can’t.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • Before scrambling to control the reaction, decide whether the attention is actually a problem.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Fears that Iran and its close ally, the Houthis, effectively control two of the world’s most important maritime choke points rattled global energy markets.
    — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of control
Verb
  • Another endearing dining feature at the property is its honesty pantry containing drinks and snacks to go and a coffee station for early risers—guests can feel free to pad about any time of day or night.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • As promulgated last month, ballots must use envelopes with an election-mail logo that can to be scanned using high-speed processing equipment and contain a barcode unique to each voter.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Blough said farmers will be clocked by the high prices because of the high use of diesel to transport fertilizers and crops and operate tractors and combines.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Cabot expects the projects to support manufacturing and construction jobs while creating additional capacity for customers operating in the North American battery supply chain.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • Organizations should treat security as the discipline that keeps the business running, with prevention as one of its tools rather than its purpose.
    — Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Bring an apple or two to a friend’s, give the whole box as a present, or keep every last piece for yourself.
    — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of keep
Verb
  • José Dias Toffoli, who previously stepped down from overseeing the Banco Master case because of his links to Vorcaro, also refused to vote.
    — MAURICIO SAVARESE, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The Reactor Pilot Program was established under Executive Order 14301 and allows the DOE to oversee the design, construction, and initial testing of qualifying advanced reactors outside national laboratories, with the NRC observing the process.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of oversee

Browse Nearby Words

gourmets
govern
governable
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Cite this Entry

“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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