ground rules

noun

plural of ground rule
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ground rules The White House and its allies are lonely in their insistence that AI development in America must accelerate without governments setting ground rules. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026 The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, did not elaborate. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026 Capital investment aside, even fundamental ground rules collapse under strain, Archer said. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026 Representatives of Bonta and Paramount Skydance came together late last week to set ground rules for Monday’s meeting, which was to involve Paramount Skydance Chief Executive David Ellison. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 Resident Nancy Clifton-Hawkins was an amazing moderator who quickly laid out the goals and ground rules. — Terri Daxon, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2026 Consider the 2012 General Agreement in Colombia, which established guidelines for future negotiations, an agenda, and ground rules that gave the talks structure and stability. — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026 To control the dangerous unfettered use of magic, an oversight council established ground rules on what is considered forbidden magic and the knowledge of its existence. — Kalai Chik, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 New York state set a one-year pause on building AI data centers to establish some ground rules. — Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 23 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground rules
  1. rules
  2. regulations
  3. laws
  4. codes
Noun
  • Its rules about transfers and conference membership seem arbitrary and deferential to the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences, college football's most influential.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The proposal arrived as California works through a broader overhaul of recycling rules.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of rules
Noun
  • The conservative-majority Supreme Court has been skeptical of environmental regulations in the past, including in a 2022 decision limiting the EPA's authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Department of Toxic Substances Control is tasked with enforcing laws and regulations governing hazardous waste and hazardous substances, according to the agency’s website.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of regulations
Noun
  • Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines while in the Legislature for leading California’s efforts to enact strict school vaccine laws.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The president and his allies have insisted that existing liability laws offer enough protections.
    — Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of laws
Noun
  • Bump codes can help identify complex patients and ensure hospitals are paid more for caring for them.
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Medical bills are often impenetrable documents littered with complex codes and terminology, and sorting through charges and details about insurance coverage can feel intimidating, if not downright paralyzing.
    — Jennifer Schlinger, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of codes

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ground rule
ground rules
grounds
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Cite this Entry

“Ground rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20rules. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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