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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Recent Examples of ground rule
This could be because the leader themselves is emotionally reactive and people are just parroting what is modeled, or because there are no ground rules for conversations and no consequences given for lashing out.
—
Blair Glaser, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Instead, White suggests talking about things in advance and setting some ground rules.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Many of these groups, including Nallen Copley’s, have strict ground rules against pitching products and deals and gatekeep against vendors or brokers.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Are Hal and Kate planning to assess and adjust their expectations and ground rules at the six-month or one-year mark?
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground rule
Blair Glaser, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Instead, White suggests talking about things in advance and setting some ground rules.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Many of these groups, including Nallen Copley’s, have strict ground rules against pitching products and deals and gatekeep against vendors or brokers.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Are Hal and Kate planning to assess and adjust their expectations and ground rules at the six-month or one-year mark?
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground rule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground rule
Noun
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The tide, however, has turned around since 2024 after former ECB President Mario Draghi’s report for the European Commission, which argued that Europe’s economy is being held back by outdated competition rules.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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But the dispute is ultimately about more than one primary, one Senate rule, or one piece of legislation.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Pharma regulations in China, India, Turkey, and elsewhere mean that Novo’s patent, and thus its monopoly, expires Saturday, and manufacturers are racing to produce low-cost versions.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
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Dallas lost in regulation for the first time in nearly two months, a 6-3 loss to Utah, two nights ago.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The order does not seek to change state and local zoning codes, as the administration has sought to preserve suburban housing rather than increase housing density.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Boosters follows up Riley’s 2018 movie, Sorry to Bother You, an absurdist black comedy starring Stanfield as a code-switching telemarketer who gains success but loses his identity.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Italy's Constitutional Court on March 12 upheld a 2025 law restricting citizenship to persons with an Italian parent or grandparent.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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Uncompensated seizure under the land-expropriation law can only be pursued under narrow circumstances—when land is unused or has been abandoned, for example—and the program seemingly has yet to seize any property.—
Boyce Upholt,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ground rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20rule. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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