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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of governing
Smith maintained many of the gifts cited by Cannon fell under exceptions to the disclosure rules, including those governing charity event tickets and gifts for birthdays or holidays.
—
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Or at least the craziest until Malinin began doing on ice back flips during the 2024-25 season after the International Skating Union, the sport’s global governing body, lifted a ban on the stunt.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
The Oppermans in their claim against the HOA alleged that the HOA breached its governing documents and breached its fiduciary duties to the Oppermans.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
What is the current state of play with respect to the tax rules governing charitable giving?
—Ray Madoff, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Venezuela has strict laws governing foreign oil companies, requiring businesses to enter into public-private joint ventures that pay 30% royalty fees and a 60% income tax.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The resulting strike lasted three days, and led to historic contract provisions governing enforceable nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.
—Donovan Carey, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Taken together, the lawsuit alleges that the governing bodies of tennis deprive players and fans of the full benefits of competition, while locking the sport’s athletes into a system that is bad for their bodies and bank balances.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The Little Rock School District next week will seek approval from its governing board to begin the process to convert Hall West High School to a public charter school.
—Dmitry Martirosov, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Or at least the craziest until Malinin began doing on ice back flips during the 2024-25 season after the International Skating Union, the sport’s global governing body, lifted a ban on the stunt.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
The Oppermans in their claim against the HOA alleged that the HOA breached its governing documents and breached its fiduciary duties to the Oppermans.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
What is the current state of play with respect to the tax rules governing charitable giving?
—Ray Madoff, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Venezuela has strict laws governing foreign oil companies, requiring businesses to enter into public-private joint ventures that pay 30% royalty fees and a 60% income tax.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The resulting strike lasted three days, and led to historic contract provisions governing enforceable nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.
—Donovan Carey, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Taken together, the lawsuit alleges that the governing bodies of tennis deprive players and fans of the full benefits of competition, while locking the sport’s athletes into a system that is bad for their bodies and bank balances.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The Little Rock School District next week will seek approval from its governing board to begin the process to convert Hall West High School to a public charter school.
—Dmitry Martirosov, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for governing
Verb
-
Iran’s ruling clergy have weathered huge protests many times before.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) revolution has matured into a family enterprise.—
Charles Onyango-Obbo,
semafor.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Silk is known to have great temperature-regulating qualities, so these will lock in the heat during the winter and keep you cool in the summer.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
-
That’s because our oceans play a key role in regulating the impact of global carbon emissions in our atmosphere—absorbing about 90% of the excess heat from planetary warming trapped by greenhouse gases over the past century.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Her mother accompanied her to appointments, managing logistics and providing emotional support.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Tina Olson, a managing attorney with the Juvenile Lifer Unit in the State Appellate Defender Office, says the decision doesn't minimize the crimes committed – or the victims impacted – but instead ensures defendants are given fair punishments.—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The farmers also pitched in with efforts of their own, including adjusting fertilizer methods, controlling soil erosion and increasing on-site water retention.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Other concerning behaviors may include constant messaging, controlling actions, name-calling, threats, or refusing to respect your boundaries.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Each envelope containing the clue was inside a box filled with some frightful creature — rats, snakes, a tarantula, millipedes, and cockroaches.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
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The pants washed back out to sea; however, his wallet, containing his ID, was given to the police.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Vendors would also be restricted from operating within 500 feet of freeway on-ramps or off-ramps.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 2,000 immigration agents are operating in the Twin Cities area.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For years, Illinois counted on the feds to take the lead in curbing water pollution.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Albritton emphasized the traditional role of the Senate in curbing ideological hysteria.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dylan Clark will produce for Dylan Clark Productions (The Batman, The Penguin), with Brian Williams overseeing the project for the company.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Eddings had been promoted to superintendent, overseeing the Paid Detail and Court Units, in 2019.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governing. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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