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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rules
Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2025
McMahon is prepared to loosen even more rules on the money.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
Parental controls are actually useful for bedtime rules, and OneMesh support makes expanding later straightforward.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
Those rules are currently exempt from antitrust scrutiny, because they have been collectively bargained and are thus protected by the non-statutory labor exemption.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Public companies have to deal with public investors, follow specific rules on governance, and disclose extensive information.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
In recent weeks, the White House has moved to tighten the rules around the visa, including a $100,000 fee for new applications, while raising wage expectations and the skill levels immigrants should have.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Under the new rules, young graduates — in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM — no longer need backing from a local employer and can enjoy more flexibility in terms for entry frequency and duration of stay.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
The Massachusetts legislature is currently considering the Bettor Health Act, which would impose additional rules on sports betting companies.
—Karen Brown, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
In addition, the upcoming rules conflict with F-Droid's distribution model.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
That goes back to his first game as a Chief, when NBC broadcaster Cris Collinsworth and rules analyst Terry McAulay were all over Taylor in the NFL season opener against the Lions.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
The Supreme Court majority followed that up yesterday by granting a longer-term stay that will keep Slaughter off the FTC at least until the court rules on the merits of the case.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
If the jury rules that Amazon broke the law, the judge will decide how much Amazon will pay in damages.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
As for Prime, the question is if a court rules Amazon achieved this success partly in unlawful ways, does the fallout incite any reduction in customer trust.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
And, most importantly, Silicon Valley constitutes the beating heart of the dominant digital culture that effectively rules much of the world.
—Tyler Johnson, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Her lawyer says no and then a judge rules.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
Student athletes whose coaches have already departed are grandfathered in under previous rules.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2025
McMahon is prepared to loosen even more rules on the money.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
Parental controls are actually useful for bedtime rules, and OneMesh support makes expanding later straightforward.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
Those rules are currently exempt from antitrust scrutiny, because they have been collectively bargained and are thus protected by the non-statutory labor exemption.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Public companies have to deal with public investors, follow specific rules on governance, and disclose extensive information.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
In recent weeks, the White House has moved to tighten the rules around the visa, including a $100,000 fee for new applications, while raising wage expectations and the skill levels immigrants should have.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Under the new rules, young graduates — in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM — no longer need backing from a local employer and can enjoy more flexibility in terms for entry frequency and duration of stay.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
The Massachusetts legislature is currently considering the Bettor Health Act, which would impose additional rules on sports betting companies.
—Karen Brown, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Jezero's altitude rules it out as a target, however.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
In addition, the upcoming rules conflict with F-Droid's distribution model.
—Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
That goes back to his first game as a Chief, when NBC broadcaster Cris Collinsworth and rules analyst Terry McAulay were all over Taylor in the NFL season opener against the Lions.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
The Supreme Court majority followed that up yesterday by granting a longer-term stay that will keep Slaughter off the FTC at least until the court rules on the merits of the case.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
If the jury rules that Amazon broke the law, the judge will decide how much Amazon will pay in damages.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
As for Prime, the question is if a court rules Amazon achieved this success partly in unlawful ways, does the fallout incite any reduction in customer trust.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
And, most importantly, Silicon Valley constitutes the beating heart of the dominant digital culture that effectively rules much of the world.
—Tyler Johnson, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Her lawyer says no and then a judge rules.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
When asked whether the move was premature, Jeff Fleming, a spokesman for the mayor's office, cited state regulations.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Los Milics aimed to remedy both problems — though county zoning regulations also played a role.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Dining establishments like sit-down restaurants, drive-thrus, gas stations and grocery stores are required to get food inspections, and governments have to release those inspections to the public.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Since then, communication between the two governments has been limited to issues such as humanitarian aid, migration and security.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Beans are often associated with South America, the Dutch have popularized the instant coffee brands Americans have become most familiar with and café culture centers on Italian espresso traditions.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Unlike Vegas, the Phoenix franchise has been rooted in place since the WNBA’s inception, so there’s been more space for traditions to bloom.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank, has not held presidential or parliamentary elections in nearly two decades.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The Princess of Wales, 43, shared her well-wishes for England amid the final of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup over the weekend as patron of the Rugby Football Union, which governs the game in England.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced in the body by the brain’s pineal gland which partially controls the sleep-wake cycle.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
But if the president controls the FCC, will speech be free?—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
More than 20 states have restricted the practice through laws – including some that were backed by Republican governors.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Under a pending agreement with ICE, the Guard's role enforcing immigration laws could expand to providing additional military personnel to be trained by ICE and deputized into assisting with policing immigration.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Only one case has resulted in federal charges for imitating an officer – another break from the past four administrations, when roughly half of the ICE-imposter cases were charged under federal statutes.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Trump is threatening to go further than past administrations, though, raising the stakes and the partisan posture of federal agencies, said Elaine Kamarck, founding director of the Center for Effective Public Management at The Brookings Institution.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Challenges The dilution problem dictates the scale.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Pittman’s record since the start of the 2021 season (29-27) dictates the buyout total listed in his contract.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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