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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Yellowstone National Park, which governs a portion of the Thorofare but not Atlantic Creek, where most people fish in June, requires backcountry campers to purchase and reserve campsites ahead of time. — Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 23 Sep. 2026 Technical strength governs success in this space and shapes the partnerships the firm can win. — Andrei Grachev, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 That longer discussion is a law-firm resource rather than controlling authority; the current statute governs. — Ethan Stone, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 On a federal level, Merz — whose party co-governs with the Social Democrats — is finding that kind of consensus difficult with just one coalition partner. — Esme Nicholson, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026 The extraordinary visibility of men standing beside women during Woman, Life, Freedom demonstrated how far parts of Iranian society have moved ahead of the state that governs them. — Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 The district, which governs most public roads in Ada County, often manages traffic and decides, for example, when to widen local streets. — Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026 The handbook governs team and league personnel and covers a wide range of topics, including draft eligibility, player acquisition and roster management. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Sep. 2026 But in a suit filed in mid-August, the academic groups alleged that the new rules violate the Administrative Procedure Act, a law that governs how agencies implement new regulations. — Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 14 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs

Verb

Paul Paul of Dune, the heir to the House of Atreides that rules the planet of Caladan, spends most of his story trying to outrun a destiny that’s been mapped out for him by others.

— Sarah Scott, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026
If the court rules in their favor, Kushner’s project may have to be halted.

— Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rules

Verb

Moisture affects resistance A memristor (or a memory resistor), is a two-terminal electrical component that regulates current flow while remembering the amount of charge that has passed through it before.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
The unit regulates vehicles for hire, including taxicabs, limousines, shuttle vans and special needs transportation vehicles.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of regulates

Verb

For those in Palm Beach County, Alpert JFS also operates its own Community Access Life Line (CALL), at 561-684-1991 for information, intake and referral services.

— Courtney Marx, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Third Act now operates in about 30 states, with a robust chapter in Southern California.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of operates

Verb

It was discovered that the organic material inside these ancient space rocks contains pristine chemical signatures from the earliest days of our Solar System.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Many advocates and lawmakers have complained that the system updates too slowly and contains too much inaccurate or missing information, allowing ICE to shield the locations of detainees for days or weeks.

— Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of contains

Verb

Some act like the cool parent who supervises their child’s drug use.

— Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
In her current role, Second Assistant District Attorney, Sprague supervises all homicides that occur in Plymouth County as well as all firearm and narcotics cases, according to her profile.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of supervises

Verb

Roberto Pesenti, a member of the family that controls the holding, was appointed head of strategic development in 2025, after joining the company’s investment and development department in 2019.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
So what needs to happen is the county, which controls the drug programs, needs to have far more [treatment] beds.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of controls

Verb

After initially joining the Columbus Crew and HSG in November 2022 as VP & general counsel and assistant counsel, respectively, Shepro now oversees business operations for both the Crew and Columbus NWSL 2028.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Her departure follows the merger of Banijay and All3Media earlier this year with Ben Samek installed as CEO of Banijay Americas, the division that oversees ESNA.

— Peter White, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of oversees

Verb

This recipe, which keeps things simple, relies on the winning combination of cinnamon and apples to perfume a vanilla cake with pockets of tender fruit.

— Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026
At the very least, no one wants to feel invisible, especially when our devolving society keeps finding new ways to instill that impression.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026