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

Commercial licensing, confidentiality, the protection of original production materials and the terms governing third-party AI tools are all important considerations in our approach. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

The other two judges, Kelly and Tymkovich, concluded the NCAA made a sufficient showing under the factors governing stays pending appeal, including on the merits and irreparable harm. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Vuitton succeeded Zegna as the team’s official off-field outfitter, and has partnered with FIFA, the sport’s international governing body, since 2010 to create the trunk for the World Cup winner’s trophy. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

As a result, after each election, leaders of the larger parties seek to persuade smaller parties to join them in forming a governing coalition. — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

The Vatican has no specific rules governing who takes over if a pope becomes totally incapacitated. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Instead, Warped Alloy is designed to interfere with the protocols governing how communications systems operate. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

The state law governing the interest payments process does not mention the statute of limitations as a reason to waive interest owed. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

During the previous general election — which saw Starmer lead the governing Labour party to a landslide victory and end 14 years of Conservative rule — Burnham was serving as Mayor of Manchester. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026