Synonyms of governing

governing

verb

present participle of govern

1

as in ruling

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

• ruling
• controlling
• dictating
• dominating
• managing
• commanding
• presiding (over)
• administering
• overseeing
• domineering
• regulating
• swaying
• captaining
• leading
• bossing
• supervising
• conducting
• directing
• superintending
• heading
• mastering
• oppressing
• micromanaging
• conquering
• reigning (over)
• subjugating
• tyrannizing
• subduing
• lording (it over)

2

as in regulating

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

• regulating
• controlling
• containing
• curbing
• keeping
• restraining
• measuring
• ruling
• suppressing
• stifling
• inhibiting
• constraining
• holding
• taming
• checking
• stopping
• pulling in
• bridling
• swallowing
• reining (in)
• interrupting
• repressing
• hindering
• holding back
• strangling
• smothering
• impeding
• blocking
• hampering
• choking (back)
• obstructing
• arresting
• bottling (up)
• silencing
• sinking
• squelching
• mincing
• muffling
• pocketing
• handcuffing
• muzzling
• gagging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• losing
• loosening
• liberating
• expressing
• taking out
• venting
• airing
• unleashing
• loosing

3

as in managing

to look after and make decisions about

the company's finances are governed by its chief financial officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• managing
• operating
• regulating
• overseeing
• supervising
• controlling
• handling
• conducting
• running
• administering
• keeping
• guiding
• directing
• protecting
• superintending
• tending
• administrating
• presiding (over)
• carrying on
• stewarding
• watching over
• overlooking
• steering
• leading
• watching
• safeguarding
• guarding
• piloting
• caring (for)
• minding
• micromanaging
• stage-managing
• codirecting
• comanaging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of governing

The Blazers, however, are not being transparent about their plans, two city governing bodies say. — Jason Quick, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Ortega, Nicaragua’s longest-serving leader, has remained in power since 2007 after previously governing during the 1980s. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Employers need workflows that apply the correct jurisdictional requirements, support consistent individualized assessments, accommodate candidate participation, and account for changes in both the governing law and the underlying criminal record. — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Burnham had no opponents in the race to lead the governing Labour Party. — Chloe Taylor,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 20 July 2026

Britain’s parliamentary democracy allows governing parties to change leaders, and thus prime ministers, without the need for a general election. — ABC News, 17 July 2026

Digging in the sand is a cherished beach tradition, but a trend of tourists creating deeper holes has forced many coastal towns to adopt laws governing the practice. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026

Chapa also removed proposals for new rules around noise and economic development agreements related to data centers, however, the council will consider new rules governing data center water use, Syed said. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026

In a statement, a museum spokesperson said the Guggenheim complies with all New York City regulations governing cooling towers and has been advised that no further action is needed. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026