Synonyms of rules

rules 1 of 2

noun

plural of rule

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

• regulations
• laws
• codes
• instructions
• values
• standards
• guidelines
• regs
• bylaws
• principles
• ground rules
• constitutions
• restrictions
• ordinances
• statutes
• commandments
• morals
• prohibitions
• directives
• directions
• conventions
• dictates
• practices
• guides
• directories
• precepts
• decrees
• maxims
• edicts
• traditions
• axioms
• habits
• acts
• commands
• customs
• fundamentals
• manners
• orders
• formulas
• bans
• mores
• proscriptions
• fiats
• behests
• blueprints
• decalogues
• canons
• charges
• interdictions
• ways

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

• governments
• administrations
• governances
• regimes
• jurisdictions
• reigns
• regimens
• powers
• authorities
• dictatorships
• regulations
• tyrannies
• sovereignties
• leaderships
• oppressions
• dominations
• dominions
• managements
• directions
• supremacies
• commands
• sways
• autocracies
• hegemonies
• supervisions
• subjugations
• superintendences
• masteries

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

• traditions
• principles
• values
• standards
• customs
• conventions
• ethics
• norms
• prescriptions
• rubrics
• superstitions
• modes
• mores
• heritages
• legacies
• forms
• cultures
• inheritances
• lifestyles
• birthrights
• lores
• folklores

rules

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rule

1

as in governs

to exercise authority or power over

a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• governs
• controls
• dictates
• commands
• dominates
• bosses
• captains
• manages
• presides (over)
• sways
• leads
• oversees
• domineers
• administers
• regulates
• masters
• supervises
• conducts
• directs
• heads
• reigns (over)
• micromanages
• oppresses
• lords (it over)
• conquers
• tyrannizes
• superintends
• subjugates
• subdues

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

• controls
• curbs
• regulates
• contains
• keeps
• measures
• restrains
• governs
• constrains
• checks
• stifles
• tames
• suppresses
• inhibits
• reins (in)
• holds
• stops
• bridles
• pulls in
• blocks
• interrupts
• chokes (back)
• swallows
• arrests
• strangles
• holds back
• silences
• pockets
• represses
• hinders
• bottles (up)
• muffles
• impedes
• minces
• obstructs
• smothers
• hampers
• squelches
• sinks
• handcuffs
• muzzles
• gags

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loses
• loosens
• liberates
• expresses
• takes out
• unleashes
• looses
• airs
• vents

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rules

Noun

The push is the strongest effort yet to establish federal rules for college athletics and regulate athlete compensation after years of negotiations and tumult. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026

Environmental groups estimate now, without stricter standards, cars could produce 22,111 more tons of carbon dioxide per year than under the Biden-era rules in 2035. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Restrictions on college athlete earnings are instead based on NCAA, conference and university rules and the House settlement. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Without these standards, in 2035, cars could produce 22,111 more tons of carbon dioxide per year than under the Biden-era rules. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

In survey responses, 1,004 residents of northern Virginia and the Richmond metropolitan area indicated the relative importance of various rules. — Fengxiu Zhang, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Its rules also allow lawmakers to issue subpoenas when exercising that authority. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

And a future presidential administration could change the rules again. — Willa Rubin, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026

Whatever to the silly old poem and whatever to the ceremony and all its stupid little details and whatever to all the rules for daughters. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Verb

Neither claims the most dangerous thresholds have been crossed though neither rules it out. — Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026

Interview etiquette remains increasingly contentious, as recruiters disagree on which rules to keep. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

If the Supreme Court rules against the oil companies, the case would proceed toward trial. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

Ward 1 Alderman Harry Huntley said the legislation builds on outdoor dining rules the city codified in 2024. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

The court decided that eligibility rules for a private association are best decided by the government, not the members of the association. — Sen. Rand Paul Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Paul Paul of Dune, the heir to the House of Atreides that rules the planet of Caladan, spends most of his story trying to outrun a destiny that’s been mapped out for him by others. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 17 Sep. 2026

If the court rules in their favor, Kushner’s project may have to be halted. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

The 49ers energetically dominated in a 27-7 victory while the Rams exhaustedly despaired in front of more than 100,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a venue that hosts Australian rules football games that aren’t this ugly. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026