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
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
Factionalism, doctrine, ground rules, justifications are, in Anderson’s film, irrelevant, meaning that French 75’s actions take place in an intellectual void.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
No ground rules needed to be set before cameras began to roll.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
Publishing income sharing agreements exist among major acts in the music business, and platinum-level acts such as U2 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers built their careers by establishing royalty-sharing ground rules at an early stage, thereby avoiding costly litigation and personal conflict later on.
—Mike Alleyne, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground rule
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Factionalism, doctrine, ground rules, justifications are, in Anderson’s film, irrelevant, meaning that French 75’s actions take place in an intellectual void.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
No ground rules needed to be set before cameras began to roll.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
Publishing income sharing agreements exist among major acts in the music business, and platinum-level acts such as U2 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers built their careers by establishing royalty-sharing ground rules at an early stage, thereby avoiding costly litigation and personal conflict later on.
—Mike Alleyne, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground rule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground rule
Noun
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On a call from Mexico on Thursday with reporters, Estrada Juarez, 42, said DACA was supposed to protect people like her who work hard and follow the rules.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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For details on other rules, like how many and what kinds of fish anglers can bring home, or where and how to get needed licenses and permits, visit the Unified Government’s Fishing and Boating website.—
Sofi Zeman
March 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Coalie, however, isn’t selling forest fire prevention or personal safety awareness or fair housing regulations.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Familiarize yourself with your local and state laws and regulations before starting your stump removal project.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In design, engineering, pre-construction, and manufacturing, there are specs, there are permitting codes, there are ordinances, and there’s disconnect between the disciplines, so the context is incredibly complicated.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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These names usually contain two words to help distinguish them from other types of military codes.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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According to the website, states may exempt themselves from observing daylight saving time by state law in accordance with the Uniform Time Act, as amended.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
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On at least six other occasions, detainees attempted to harm themselves while expressing suicidal ideations that resulted in 911 calls, according to records from the city of El Paso obtained under the Texas public information law.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ground rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20rule. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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