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 is how adults govern multibillion-dollar sports.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
But given the governing bodies’ reputation for shadowy financial doings, there are reasons to think much of the money will never be properly accounted for.
—Stefan Szymanski, Fortune, 12 June 2026
The United States would handle the financial and logistical burden of defense, leaving the Inuit free to govern their homeland.
—Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026
The Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is an excellent framework for governing landlord-tenant relationships in Evanston.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for govern
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
But given the governing bodies’ reputation for shadowy financial doings, there are reasons to think much of the money will never be properly accounted for.
—Stefan Szymanski, Fortune, 12 June 2026
The United States would handle the financial and logistical burden of defense, leaving the Inuit free to govern their homeland.
—Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026
The Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is an excellent framework for governing landlord-tenant relationships in Evanston.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for govern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern
Verb
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Shasta County Superior Court judges denied two prior lawsuits that aimed to block Measure B from appearing on the ballot, including one from Shasta County’s attorney Joseph Larmour, without ruling on the substance of their cases.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
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However, in June 2025, a federal judge dismissed Baldoni's countersuit, ruling that many of the statements at issue were legally protected and that the claims did not meet the legal standards required to proceed.—
Janelle Ash , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Assemblyman Alex Bores is locked in a tight race ahead of the June 23 primary and may have benefitted from a flood of attack advertising sponsored by tech billionaires who don’t like his focus on regulating artificial intelligence.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
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Ozempic contains semaglutide, which mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone that — per Harvard Health — slows digestion, signals fullness and helps regulate blood sugar.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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County officials said the money would be used to repair roads, fix storm damage, maintain bridges and manage roadside vegetation.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
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Wonder also owns and manages the kitchens, and handles delivery after buying GrubHub in a deal valued at $650 million that closed in 2025.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Non-chemical methods like rinsing, soapy water, and attracting predator insects can control aphids.—
Abby Monteil,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
-
Testing robotics beyond factory floors Industrial robots have long been used in factories, where conditions are highly controlled.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Violence doesn’t stay contained.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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However, xGC estimates that even with Lionel Messi, their roster doesn’t quite contain the same threat as teams like France and Spain.—
Ethan Douglas,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Shards of shrapnel are still lodged in her chest – so close to her heart that doctors preferred not to operate to remove them.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Then Artistic Milliners made a cut-and-sew move with the addition of a garment factory in Parras, Mexico, which now operates as Artistic Milliners Mexico.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Created by state legislators in 2004, the district was tasked with keeping Colorado compliant with the compact.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
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The Dodgers considered bringing in a spot starter, manager Dave Roberts said, in order to keep the full rotation on extra rest.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Gwisdalla said that federal authorities will oversee the investigation, and the suspects will likely face federal charges.—
Jasmine Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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Trump has already slashed the FEMA workforce by 20% during his second term and kept top positions at the agency — including the administrator overseeing the region Illinois is part of — vacant.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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