1
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
2
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
3
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
1
as in governs
to exercise authority or power over
a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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
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Recent Examples of rules
Rachel Roubein, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2026
One can see why wrestling appealed to him—the crowd is everything, the rules mean nothing, and the referees are so feckless that they often get knocked out and everyone laughs.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
But, due to the rules of the race, only the autonomous navigation variant was given the prize.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
In a phone interview, Williams, the Kalesta co-founder, said Darby's death occurred during the most challenging point of the covid pandemic, when California rules required any nurses testing positive for the virus to be sent home and nurses were quitting out of fear for their health.
—Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
The firm Borkan & Scahill, which was responsible for more than half of the 24-hour-plus billings, also told the Tribune in a statement that some entries filed under one person’s name included work performed by others — a practice the city said is not allowed under its rules.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
Teaching others has brought a new joy to my creative process because the students always have unorthodox ideas, tossing aside the ‘rules’ that many treat like laws.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
More reinterpretation of what the rules were supposed to mean.
—Mike Atchison, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
The federal law sets out rules and procedures for gathering foreign intelligence through electronic surveillance, physical searches, pen registers and more.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
The rollbacks included minimum wage requirements for home health care workers and people with disabilities, and rules governing exposure to harmful substances and safety procedures at mines.
—Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Under California’s rules the top two candidates head from the primary to the November midterms.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Apr. 2026
One of the issues that has prevented agreement toward any regulation of the industry has been whether college players should be considered employees, which would lead to collective bargaining and ultimately rules that are fair for both sides.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2026
In addition to reinforcing the fiduciary standards that are already in place for community associations, this will help to establish stronger grounds for claims involving unilateral acts by directors, inadequate reserve planning, inconsistent rules enforcement, or failures in management oversight.
—Evonne Andris, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Texas Lottery rules state that winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize before unclaimed winnings are returned to the state for programs authorized by the Texas Legislature.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Ahead of the show's premiere, Witwer spoke to ABC News about what Devon offers Maul in a galaxy where his former master, Darth Sidious, now rules as Emperor Palpatine.
—Sean Keane, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Christopher McVey was sent off late against Real Salt Lake after a second yellow card, which rules him out for Saturday and forces a lineup shuffle.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Across the country, retailers and low-income Americans are facing complex new rules overhauling what millions of people can buy with food stamps.
—Rachel Roubein, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2026
One can see why wrestling appealed to him—the crowd is everything, the rules mean nothing, and the referees are so feckless that they often get knocked out and everyone laughs.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
But, due to the rules of the race, only the autonomous navigation variant was given the prize.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
In a phone interview, Williams, the Kalesta co-founder, said Darby's death occurred during the most challenging point of the covid pandemic, when California rules required any nurses testing positive for the virus to be sent home and nurses were quitting out of fear for their health.
—Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
The firm Borkan & Scahill, which was responsible for more than half of the 24-hour-plus billings, also told the Tribune in a statement that some entries filed under one person’s name included work performed by others — a practice the city said is not allowed under its rules.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
Teaching others has brought a new joy to my creative process because the students always have unorthodox ideas, tossing aside the ‘rules’ that many treat like laws.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
More reinterpretation of what the rules were supposed to mean.
—Mike Atchison, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026
The federal law sets out rules and procedures for gathering foreign intelligence through electronic surveillance, physical searches, pen registers and more.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
The rollbacks included minimum wage requirements for home healthcare workers and people with disabilities, and rules governing exposure to harmful substances and safety procedures at mines.
—Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
The rollbacks included minimum wage requirements for home health care workers and people with disabilities, and rules governing exposure to harmful substances and safety procedures at mines.
—Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Under California’s rules the top two candidates head from the primary to the November midterms.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Apr. 2026
One of the issues that has prevented agreement toward any regulation of the industry has been whether college players should be considered employees, which would lead to collective bargaining and ultimately rules that are fair for both sides.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2026
In addition to reinforcing the fiduciary standards that are already in place for community associations, this will help to establish stronger grounds for claims involving unilateral acts by directors, inadequate reserve planning, inconsistent rules enforcement, or failures in management oversight.
—Evonne Andris, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Texas Lottery rules state that winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize before unclaimed winnings are returned to the state for programs authorized by the Texas Legislature.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Ahead of the show's premiere, Witwer spoke to ABC News about what Devon offers Maul in a galaxy where his former master, Darth Sidious, now rules as Emperor Palpatine.
—Sean Keane, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Christopher McVey was sent off late against Real Salt Lake after a second yellow card, which rules him out for Saturday and forces a lineup shuffle.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
At the time, Polis acknowledged the need for tighter regulations but said he was influenced to reject the bill after Uber threatened to leave the state if the bill passed.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
And what that really means is, if there are no regulations, then every OEM is going to go back to their cultural norm.—
Jamie Lincoln Kitman,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the mid-eighties, McMahon broke the code by lobbying state governments to instead treat it as theatre.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This case was brought on by state and federal governments, so the consumer won’t get paid by Live Nation.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Raphael’s father soaked up both traditions and ran a bustling artist’s workshop, or bottega, in a building connected to the family home.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Faith communities across traditions have always recognized the moral imperative to care for vulnerable children.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Copyright policy governs access to all forms of media and determines how knowledge is constructed and shared.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Ad-Industry Merger Has Players Wondering With the recent merger of advertising titans Omnicom Group and Interpublic Group, a single entity governs two of the biggest buyers of ad inventory in the business.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One is called cervical dystonia with torticollis, which basically is in the part of my brain that controls movement.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
-
For years, many Hungarian journalists have, privately at least, expressed exasperation with the state controls on their work.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The indictment also charges Meade and West each with one count of conspiracy to obstruct and defeat the Internal Revenue Service, five counts of attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws and seven counts of aiding or assisting the filing of false documents, officials said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The humbling end to a mercifully brief career should be a warning to anyone else who might try to get elected by brazenly flouting the disclosure laws.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In past administrations, sketches of downtown concepts were drawn and put on a shelf.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Trump officials, like those in past administrations, have argued that such a warrant requirement would overburden law enforcement and endanger national security.—
Eric McDaniel,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, Chapa noted the council still dictates policy and could create any new department at its discretion.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Even in a do-or-die game where the unwritten rule dictates that absolutely anything goes, these Dubs can only go so far.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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