GOVERNS Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

governs

verb

present tense third-person singular of govern

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

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Relevance

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of governs In his second run as CEO, Iger pushed back against DeSantis’s anti-Disney campaign and in March 2024 Disney reached a settlement with Florida in the legal fight over the special district that governs Walt Disney World. —

Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026 The committee has historically convened every 10 years to seek resident input and give recommendations on which proposed amendments to the city’s charter — the document that governs the city — should be put in front of voters. —

Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026 At issue with the new DHS policy is the interpretation of Section 209 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the statute that governs refugee adjustments and moves them from refugee status to lawful permanent resident. —

Ashley Sanchez, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026 The suit alleges several violations of the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies enact new policies, and asks the court to bar the policy from being implemented. —

Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026 Federal labor law governs private colleges, while state labor laws govern public colleges, and some states prohibit or significantly restrict unionization by public‑sector employees. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2026 When investors buy qualifying gold through one of these accounts, the investment benefits from the same tax structure that governs other IRA assets. —

Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026 This is a person from a nation that still lives, still governs, and still holds deep ties to the land where he was laid to rest. —

Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026 No central Amish religious tenant governs health practices directly. —

Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs

Verb

Though there's going to be a lot of debate on the bill, the Senate rules that require 60 votes to pass most legislative matters will remain intact.

— Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Yet one reason that Conan now rules the Oscars like the new Jimmy Kimmel, if not the new Billy Crystal, is that the jokes were trimmed of the cutting sharpness the Oscars have flirted with in the past.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026