RULES Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

rules 1 of 2

noun

plural of rule

as in regulations

a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity read the rules that are posted before you use the pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in governments

lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation) the years during which Russia was under Communist rule

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in traditions

an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing one of the sacred rules of that ancient society was respect for the elderly

Synonyms & Similar Words

rules

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rule

as in governs

to exercise authority or power over a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in controls

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) a monarch who is known for ruling her emotions with an iron hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 rules

Noun

The City of Yes plan swept aside cumbersome zoning rules and made office buildings completed as recently as 1990 eligible for conversion in most of Manhattan and parts of other boroughs. — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026 Last year, the Pentagon attempted to impose major restrictions on journalists working inside the Pentagon, which, in turn, led most news outlets to turn in their access badges and walk out rather than agree to the new rules. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 London — The European Union has fined Google €890 million ($1 billion) for breaching rules designed to promote competition in digital services, the first time the company has been penalized under the landmark law. — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 23 July 2026 Grammy rules permit an individual recording to compete in one specialized genre field, even when the album connected to that artist is classified elsewhere. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The publisher added a direct purchase option to the game in violation of both Apple’s and Google’s rules. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026 City code enforcement staff requested on July 9 that the San Jose Appeals Hearing Board impose a $235,000 fine on Kaizen Lounge due to alleged violations of city rules. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 After an investigation was conducted, the Cruise Lines International Association and the International Maritime Organization implemented over 30 new safety rules and policies to avoid replicating the 2012 disaster, per CNN. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 City staff recommended approving the plan with a deviation from the usual rules to allow for the 10-ft decorative fence. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026

Verb

The language of the ethics rules bans public officials from using their name, image, likeness or official position for digital assets. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The avenue lies within the city’s original historic district, where preservation rules tightly regulate new construction and alterations. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 Hall of Fame rules state players must be retired for two full seasons before induction. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 22 July 2026 The sun rules Leo, making this luminary operate with unusual strength here, which encourages us to pursue joy more deliberately and stop undermining the parts of ourselves that deserve to be seen. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 The states are also seeking a preliminary injunction, which would block the merger until the judge rules on the merits of the states’ lawsuit. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 July 2026 Penelope remains faithful and rules Ithaca in his absence, cunningly stalling her suitors. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 July 2026 Disclosure rules under the ESPR, which big businesses are already expected to comply with, will also take effect for their medium-sized counterparts in 2030. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 July 2026 The stay will remain in place until at least 14 days after the court rules on xAI’s request for a preliminary injunction, which is a court order that would block the law from taking effect while the case is decided. — Stefani Langehennig, The Conversation, 9 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules

Noun

After the new regulations were announced, some popular AI chatbots – such as TikTok owner Bytedance’s Doubao, and Alibaba’s Qwen – rolled back customization features even for adult users.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
City aims to diversify Historic Main Street businesses The current regulations also limit the number of bars, wineries, breweries and brew pubs in the area to six.

— Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of regulations

Noun

Most recently, a flurry of appeals from several governments — including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar — dissuaded Trump from following through on a plan to collect fees from ships transiting the strait.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
For investors, central bankers and governments, the spectre of an inflation shock that many had hoped was behind us has hoved back into view.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 19 July 2026

Definition of governments

Verb

The comment was a reference to the once-in-a-decade review of the BBC’s royal charter, which governs its operations and priorities.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Community advocates have largely pushed for an ordinance, a local law that typically governs the actions of the general public.

— Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Definition of governs

Verb

Ella Langley controls three of the top four spots on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, joining Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter as the only female artists to manage the feat.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
And Hamas—which ended the war with about twenty thousand fighters, some recruited and trained during the war—controls the remainder of Gaza.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of controls

Noun

Politicians have been ushered on the stages of megachurches to receive a pastor’s endorsement despite IRS tax laws that forbid it.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Bonta’s office did not respond to a request for comment on whether DHS ownership of the facilities could limit the state’s ability to enforce its oversight laws, including AB 103.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of laws

Noun

There’s been a political tug-of-war over Bears Ears and Grand Staircase for years that aligns with changing presidential administrations.

— Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026
Successive administrations tolerated his feed-the-beast strategy—not agreeing with it but also not bringing any pressure to bear.

— Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026