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

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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

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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

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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

Along with zoning rules, the city is considering changes to regulations governing water use, noise, and economic development agreements. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026 The compliance system usage fee would cover enforcement of city contract provisions on contractors, including prevailing wage and living wage rules. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026 In May, Darwin filed a preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking the state from imposing the new rules. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Governance must shift from preventative compliance (trying to write rules for every scenario) to real-time resilience and containment. — Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026 The category has faced many changes over recent years and after the two categories were merged, there were rules put in place to ensure that at least one of the SNL and Last Week Tonight would make the cut out of the five nominations. — Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026 State election rules dictate that Platner would need to withdraw by Monday, July 13 in order for the state party to name a new nominee before the deadline of July 27. — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 8 July 2026 The notice cited several instances in which the DHHS believed the school did not comply with rules. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2026 First, President Dillon asked for existing data centers to be grandfathered in the ordinance, meaning operating data centers can expand without following these rules. — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026

Verb

If the business rules live in tribal knowledge, AI surfaces the gaps. — Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Pahira's death comes as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has made tightening commercial driver licensing rules a top priority following multiple fatal crashes involving non-domiciled CDL holders over the past two years. — Elaine Mallon , James Cirrone , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 Beckett Lane rules his school and the hearts of many of the girls in it. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 The California Foster Youth Bill of Rights comes into play when deciding what rules the county can place on the youths. — Theresa Clift july 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 The city has also been fighting Miami-Dade County rules around transit stations that allow developers to substantially scale up residential and commercial projects. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Whether the court rules for or against Shekarchi, the decision is likely to be appealed to the state Supreme Court. — Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal, 30 June 2026 For example, if your adult child is moving back home, set the ground rules upfront. — Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 Ahead, learn who’s attending Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, and who is unconfirmed or has a scheduling conflict that rules them out. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules

Noun

Despite concerns that California’s costs and regulations are bad for business, the state has attracted an unprecedented pile of capital this year, and no other state is even close.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Along with zoning rules, the city is considering changes to regulations governing water use, noise, and economic development agreements.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026

Definition of regulations

Noun

Discoveries unearthed in a cave in what’s now Turkey indicate the two groups did not merely cross paths but may have shared some cultural traditions, making similar tools and collecting the same kind of shell.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
The world’s biggest sporting event placed a spotlight on one of America’s most uniquely complicated economic traditions—now is the time to simplify it for everyone who has a seat at the down at the table.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of traditions

Verb

The Clean Air Act is the federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources and governs air pollution.

— Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Organizers ruled North American country could compete after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which governs the song contest, allowed the CBC/Radio-Canada fully into its fold last week.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026

Definition of governs

Verb

History shows family successions, whether in North Korea or Syria, tend to happen through rigid authoritarian control, with the transfer of power underwritten by whoever controls the military.

— Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Even Realities, which was founded in 2023, launched the Even G2 smart glasses with a bigger display in a lighter frame late last year, alongside the Even R1, a smart ring that controls the display of the G2.

— Jenny Lee,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of controls

Noun

They were reportedly convicted of violating local morality laws under an Islamic Sharia court in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
The agencies also encouraged states with price-gouging statutes to determine whether enforcement actions are warranted under those laws.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026

Definition of laws

Noun

Rosie Rios, chair of the America250 Semiquincentennial Commission appointed to the bipartisan group by President Joe Biden, noted she's served on the commission through several administrations.

— Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Oversight bodies, including Congress and future administrations, should thoroughly investigate to determine whether there were violations.

— Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026