as in rule
a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity
before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ground rule
In a hearing before Judge Lyons on Monday, the attorneys for Toledo's family and the city began going over ground rules for the trial.
—
Jessica Popowcer, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
This may mean changing your mindset; this may mean family therapy; this may mean taking a firmer stance on ground rules for respect in the home, in conjunction with your husband.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
You’re allowed to set ground rules for all connections — even friendships.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Students created Instagram accounts with posts to share walking routes, protest times, last-minute changes and ground rules for the demonstrations, such as a prohibition on violence.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ground rule
Jessica Popowcer, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
This may mean changing your mindset; this may mean family therapy; this may mean taking a firmer stance on ground rules for respect in the home, in conjunction with your husband.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
You’re allowed to set ground rules for all connections — even friendships.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Students created Instagram accounts with posts to share walking routes, protest times, last-minute changes and ground rules for the demonstrations, such as a prohibition on violence.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ground rule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground rule
Noun
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Opponents to the change, however, say there will be no easy way to ensure people are following these rules, and various state gun laws, when mailing easily concealable handguns.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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Energy experts in Sardinia are also working with policymakers to change the rules around grid-connection requests.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The only figures who seemed to take the RAISE Act personally were those who viewed any regulation of the industry as a major threat to both national competitiveness and their own equity holdings.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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Verdier says the increasing regulation in the car industry and the push to move away from fossil fuels are part of the reason why Ferrari is so enthusiastic about this project.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The offer will be loaded onto their Caniac Club account and can be redeemed by swiping their Caniac Club card, placing an online order, or scanning their QR code within the mobile app.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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The scientists also found that accuracy increased when the players communicated with snippets of code rather than natural language.—
Peter Hall,
Scientific American,
8 May 2026
Noun
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This case is an example of what the accountability law was designed to do, and not necessarily a sign that POST is taking a tougher stance on police shootings, according to Meagan Poulos, an agency spokesperson.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
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However, the information provided was inaccurate and did not align with county election law.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ground rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20rule. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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