1
as in rules
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 regulates
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 operates
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 governs
The framework that currently governs Palestinian workers in Israel dates to 1994, when Israeli and Palestinian officials agreed to the Paris Protocol of the Oslo Accords.
—
Nirit Peled,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
Thomas added that Cancer is connected to home life, family, ancestry and emotional foundations, while Capricorn governs career, public image and professional success.
—
ABC News,
26 June 2026
The preliminary injunction filed Wednesday asks the court to stop work on the facility for as long as the lawsuit goes through court, arguing that the project is likely dangerous for human health and the environment and violates the law that governs cooperation between federal and local government.
—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Next week, the state Board of Education, which governs Florida’s 24 state colleges, will also discuss new policies that bar undocumented students from attending those institutions and taking the General Educational Development test.
—
Ana Goñi-Lessan,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2026
In turn, sleep quality, which physical conditioning directly supports, governs how effectively a leader's prefrontal cortex manages complex trade-offs and scenarios under pressure.
—
Julian Hayes Ii,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2026
Reclassification governs compounding legality, not FDA drug approval.
—
Allison Palmer
updated June 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Before that job, Mishory worked at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the federal agency that governs prediction markets over state objections.
—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
23 June 2026
Both countries also are parties to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, a treaty that governs standards for building and operating ships.
—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Nirit Peled,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
Thomas added that Cancer is connected to home life, family, ancestry and emotional foundations, while Capricorn governs career, public image and professional success.
—
ABC News,
26 June 2026
The preliminary injunction filed Wednesday asks the court to stop work on the facility for as long as the lawsuit goes through court, arguing that the project is likely dangerous for human health and the environment and violates the law that governs cooperation between federal and local government.
—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Next week, the state Board of Education, which governs Florida’s 24 state colleges, will also discuss new policies that bar undocumented students from attending those institutions and taking the General Educational Development test.
—
Ana Goñi-Lessan,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2026
In turn, sleep quality, which physical conditioning directly supports, governs how effectively a leader's prefrontal cortex manages complex trade-offs and scenarios under pressure.
—
Julian Hayes Ii,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2026
Reclassification governs compounding legality, not FDA drug approval.
—
Allison Palmer
updated June 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Before that job, Mishory worked at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the federal agency that governs prediction markets over state objections.
—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
23 June 2026
Both countries also are parties to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, a treaty that governs standards for building and operating ships.
—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs
Verb
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He was called to the stewards and slapped with a one-race ban that rules him out of Sunday's Grand Prix.
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Best player available rules the day.
Verb
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The move by the Bar Standards Board, which regulates lawyers practicing in England and Wales, is the latest challenge Khan is facing.
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This matters because humans have a direct neural pathway from the eyes to the brain region that regulates the circadian rhythm, our internal biological clock governing wakefulness and sleep.
Verb
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With the expansion, AGH now operates three cath labs, three EP labs, two multiprocedural rooms and a hybrid surgical suite that can be used for either cath or EP procedures.
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California typically operates with a spending deficit because Democrats spend more money than the state brings in.
Verb
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This article contains spoilers from House of the Dragon season 3, episode 2.
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Their newsletter contains so much encyclopedic data about the podcasting industry.
Verb
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Milshtein previously served as adviser to COGAT, which supervises civilian policy in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.
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As chief of patrol, Hein supervises the most visible aspects of the Police Department that define its image in the minds of most Chicagoans, including emergency response, crisis intervention, traffic control, routine patrol and community policing efforts.
Verb
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Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson.
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The throttle that controls the aircraft’s engine power originated from an F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet that operates from aircraft carriers, whereas the stick comes from an F-117 Nighthawk stealth attack aircraft.
Verb
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There are approximately 3,800 public highway/rail crossings in Missouri, but state funding only allows for improvements to around 30 to 35 crossings per year, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MODOT) Office of Multimodal Operations, which oversees rail services in the state.
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In addition to his literary career, Sarris oversees the multibillion-dollar Graton Resort & Casino, and uses gaming revenue for tribal housing, education and activism, even as the project exposes tensions over wealth, power and belonging in Sonoma County.
Verb
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Estée Lauder's Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation offers buildable coverage in a velvet-soft formula that blurs the look of pores, keeps shine in check, and never feels cakey.
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Dry, chapped lips aren’t just an issue in the winter, so this leave-on lip mask is a nourishing treatment that keeps your lips soft and supple year-round.
Cite this Entry
“Governs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governs. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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