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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of governs
United States law governs this Contest.
—
Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
On March 10, Tempe residents will have their say on three City Council seats, but more is at stake in this year's campaign than who governs the traditionally liberal city.
—Lauren De Young, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
The bottom bracket height (where the pedals sit relative to the ground) adjusts between two settings, and the chainstay length (the distance from the pedal axle to the rear axle, which governs stability and handling feel) changes via a flip chip.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2026
That law created the FCC and still governs the use of the nation’s airwaves today.
—Seth Ashley, The Conversation, 22 Feb. 2026
With the Republican Congress fawning at his feet, the ideal of democracy that the will of the people governs the nation is being buried under multimedia waves of the autocratic ambition of wealth.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Now, the Broward Teachers Union is filing a grievance, which in part challenges whether the meeting violated the state’s Sunshine Law that governs open meetings, President Anna Fusco told the Sun Sentinel.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Moore governs one of the bluest states in the country.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
In Norway’s northernmost reaches, where winter lingers for months beneath a veil of polar darkness and the sea governs every decision, lies Båtsfjord, a fishing village where cod assumes greater significance than God.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Cbs News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
On March 10, Tempe residents will have their say on three City Council seats, but more is at stake in this year's campaign than who governs the traditionally liberal city.
—Lauren De Young, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
The bottom bracket height (where the pedals sit relative to the ground) adjusts between two settings, and the chainstay length (the distance from the pedal axle to the rear axle, which governs stability and handling feel) changes via a flip chip.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2026
That law created the FCC and still governs the use of the nation’s airwaves today.
—Seth Ashley, The Conversation, 22 Feb. 2026
With the Republican Congress fawning at his feet, the ideal of democracy that the will of the people governs the nation is being buried under multimedia waves of the autocratic ambition of wealth.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Now, the Broward Teachers Union is filing a grievance, which in part challenges whether the meeting violated the state’s Sunshine Law that governs open meetings, President Anna Fusco told the Sun Sentinel.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Moore governs one of the bluest states in the country.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
In Norway’s northernmost reaches, where winter lingers for months beneath a veil of polar darkness and the sea governs every decision, lies Båtsfjord, a fishing village where cod assumes greater significance than God.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs
Verb
-
Party rules required candidates to receive 20-30% of the vote in a congressional or legislative district and statewide in order to qualify for delegates.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The will of the people is what rules our land, bound by the limits of the Constitution.—
Julian Baron,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Among his priorities is changing the agency’s name because the Railroad Commission no longer regulates railroads, focusing instead on oil and gas, pipelines, natural gas utilities and certain mining activities.—
Aarón Torres,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, which regulates telecommunications, only signed the memorandum in December 2025.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Physically present where Jackpocket operates.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The startup further claims its battery contains no toxic or rare-earth materials and operates over a temperature range from negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit to 212 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The startup further claims its battery contains no toxic or rare-earth materials and operates over a temperature range from negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit to 212 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the collagen, the formula contains glycerin that strengthens the skin’s natural barrier and naturally draws in moisture.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jack Lang had been summoned to report on Sunday to the Foreign Ministry, which supervises the Arab World Institute, a cultural and research institution that promotes understanding of the Arab world.—
Reuters 13 hr ago,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Rodriguez works at an after-school program in Orange County and supervises third graders.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Steering is easy and intuitive and done either through a steering wheel in traditional riding mowers or, in zero-turn mowers, through lap bar that controls the rear wheels.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
22 Feb. 2026
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The players’ union (MLBPA) has repeatedly said a salary cap is a non-starter, and the free-market nature of free agency has always been seen as a necessary counter to the rookie pay scale and arbitration system that controls players’ salaries through the early part of their careers.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lawmakers will have to vote on legislation that would give members of the Indiana National Guard police powers and a bill that reworks who oversees the operational aspects of all public schools within Indianapolis Public Schools boundaries.—
Kaitlin Lange,
IndyStar,
25 Feb. 2026
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Kalshi also said the case was reported to regulators at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, which oversees prediction markets like Kalshi.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The new map imposed last fall by Judge Dianna Gibson keeps Salt Lake County almost entirely within one district, instead of dividing the heavily Democratic population center among all four districts, as was previously the case.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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While the on-site team keeps specific hours, communication remains consistent and responsive throughout the stay.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Governs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governs. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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