as in rules
a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity
before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules
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Recent Examples of ground rules
Jax sends Lewis off with a settlement release form for Toni to sign, and a few ground rules, which include hourly texts with updates and a phone call throughout the night.
—
Giana Levy, Variety, 18 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
After reports that Prince Harry had his own list of requests to go on with the reconciliation, there are now rumors that King Charles has his own ground rules, too, for the upcoming meeting.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Sep. 2025
Despite going no-contact, the woman finally approached her mother-in-law about establishing some ground rules in order to move forward.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
That’s why new parents should set some grandparenting ground rules as soon as possible to avoid nasty arguments and frayed relationships down the road, according to bestselling author and parenting expert Esther Wojcicki.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
There won’t be a bottom until Americans resurrect some ground rules and enforce them against any violators (even on their own side).
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
Giana Levy, Variety, 18 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
After reports that Prince Harry had his own list of requests to go on with the reconciliation, there are now rumors that King Charles has his own ground rules, too, for the upcoming meeting.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Sep. 2025
Despite going no-contact, the woman finally approached her mother-in-law about establishing some ground rules in order to move forward.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
That’s why new parents should set some grandparenting ground rules as soon as possible to avoid nasty arguments and frayed relationships down the road, according to bestselling author and parenting expert Esther Wojcicki.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025
There won’t be a bottom until Americans resurrect some ground rules and enforce them against any violators (even on their own side).
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground rules
Noun
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Profit and sustainability rules (PSR), inevitably, were a frequent topic, but there were plenty of others, too, ranging from the intricacies of football accounting to the broader question of why NFL teams are routinely deemed more valuable than clubs from what is the world’s most popular sport.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Texas’ rules and regulations about housing and construction and summer camps immediately came under scrutiny by environmentalists and urban planners.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Airlines are taking their time unwinding the current consumer regulations.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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Starting on Wednesday, Florida will see dozens of new laws or law alterations go into effect as the Sunshine State looks to address a number of issues ranging from crime and safety to land regulations and flood disclosures.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Department of Transportation (DOT) pledged to enforce existing laws.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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The organization takes care of the back-end logistics, from payroll and setting tuition to lobbying state legislators and navigating local zoning laws, freeing educators to concentrate on their craft.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Modern prep, by contrast, dismantles those codes, treating familiar motifs not as restrictions but as foundations to build upon.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
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Multilateral parties trusted by Israel, the Palestinians, and the United States could provide technical, security, and logistical support and services to ensure compliance with necessary codes and standards.—
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib,
The Atlantic,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ground rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20rules. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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