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
Meanwhile, both sides will continue pretrial work under the Classified Information Procedures Act, which governs how classified evidence is handled.
—
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Watson, newcomers Andrew Kump, Jermaine Howard and Carlos Pacheco III and incumbents Andrew Davis and Chuck Stites will serve on the eleven-member board of commissioners that governs the Unified Government and sets county policies.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
And the Senate is deliberating over the passage of a broader bill that governs crypto market structure and includes text about which federal agencies will regulate which classes of crypto assets.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Regular meal timing can help reinforce the body’s circadian rhythm—the internal 24-hour clock that governs everything from digestion to hormone release.
—Fran Kritz, Health, 28 Oct. 2025
As investors keep a close watch on how the post-election landscape unfolds, the real question now is not who governs.
—Amindeh Blaise Atabong, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
In astrology, Mercury governs the mind and communication, while Saturn represents boundaries, discipline and the lessons that come with experience.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The ordinance that governs this is 79-11, which says placing leaves out in the street per the city's guidelines isn't prohibited during the collection period.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump's peace deal, whatever its other merits or flaws, failed to address the fundamental question of who governs Gaza and how order will be maintained.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Watson, newcomers Andrew Kump, Jermaine Howard and Carlos Pacheco III and incumbents Andrew Davis and Chuck Stites will serve on the eleven-member board of commissioners that governs the Unified Government and sets county policies.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
And the Senate is deliberating over the passage of a broader bill that governs crypto market structure and includes text about which federal agencies will regulate which classes of crypto assets.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Regular meal timing can help reinforce the body’s circadian rhythm—the internal 24-hour clock that governs everything from digestion to hormone release.
—Fran Kritz, Health, 28 Oct. 2025
As investors keep a close watch on how the post-election landscape unfolds, the real question now is not who governs.
—Amindeh Blaise Atabong, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
In astrology, Mercury governs the mind and communication, while Saturn represents boundaries, discipline and the lessons that come with experience.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The ordinance that governs this is 79-11, which says placing leaves out in the street per the city's guidelines isn't prohibited during the collection period.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump's peace deal, whatever its other merits or flaws, failed to address the fundamental question of who governs Gaza and how order will be maintained.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs
Verb
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The sector may face another twist if the US Supreme Court rules Trump’s tariffs were issued illegally, a decision that could come as soon as Friday.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
If the Supreme Court rules that Trump’s new tariffs are unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the court could then say that companies that have paid the duties so far are entitled to refunds.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
According to Spark Biomedical, this stimulation regulates the nervous system and influences blood flow.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The commission regulates taxi rates, towing companies and aspects of ride-share companies, such as licensing, permits and safety requirements.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The spa Asian—specifically, Balinese—influences are again evident in the decor, massage techniques, and ingredients used at the 30,000-square-foot Mandara Spa, the Atlantis location of the beloved wellness brand that operates at resorts around the world and on Norwegian Cruise Line sailings.—
Jesse Ashlock,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Standing against them is notorious kingpin Bada Chaudhary (Sharad Kelkar), whose syndicate operates through layers of deceit through corridors in Saudi Arabia, Ethopia, Italy, Thailand and the UK.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Merino wool, on the other hand, is a cold-weather classic, and my suitcase for winters in Wyoming always contains several tees and tops made with the fabric.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Honey contains mainy sugar along with amino acids, minerals ,and vitamins that give it antioxidant sand anti-inflammatory benefits.—
Gillian Mohney,
Verywell Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Sebastio supervises retail, finance and an in-house team of three designers for product consistency, as the brand was first inspired by his own and his father’s wardrobe.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The assistant chief directly supervises section commanders, providing leadership, mentorship and guidance.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The demo will also look at emergency procedures, including those involving the Power Distribution Unit (PDU), which controls power from the solar array and battery packs.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Nov. 2025
-
More than 60% of 136 facilities connected to missile production or the Chinese military’s rocket force, which controls China’s nuclear arsenal, showed signs of expansion in satellite images.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As chief engineering officer, Eric Lefebvre sets and oversees technology strategy for Jaggaer.—
Eric Lefebvre,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
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The committee, which is made up of three white members, three Black members, three Hispanic members and two Asian members, also oversees efforts to recruit more minority teachers and solicit scholarships for minority students.—
Milla Surjadi,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Utopia Bedding Quilted Comforter This Utopia Bedding comforter keeps my bed looking super fluffy and cloud-like and gives my bedroom an expensive look.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Leave it to one of the best luggage brands to come out with a revolutionary zipper that is three times stronger than a traditional zipper, as well as an anti-microbial lining that keeps odor-causing bacteria from thriving.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Governs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governs. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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