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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rules
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Define which work belongs where, give people the tools and ergonomics to do it well, and write the rules down so the next hire doesn’t have to guess.
—Jason Phillips, IndyStar, 11 Nov. 2025
Under the old rules, the kicking team started at its 35-yard line and tried to kick the ball as far downfield as possible to give their defense a better chance of stopping the offense far from the end zone.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
The poll, which measured 1,850 anonymous employees worldwide, found only 31% of people say salary is openly discussed at their job–while 37% have rules against discussing pay.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
That meant that grocery stores have the legal right to set their own rules banning or limiting photography in their stores.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Can she be forced to live by the CCRs and rules?
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
The lawmakers noted in the bill’s draft that private entities that are large employers could eventually be impacted by these same rules, if the bill goes through.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
Tarrant County College is going through the process of reestablishing a faculty senate to comply with a new Texas law that changed the rules for how the governance bodies operate.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025
Sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
If the court rules that the indictment or appointment is invalid, prosecutors may be barred from refiling because the statute of limitations has expired.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Even as the club project revenues in excess of €1billion for 2025-26, this summer saw them in yet more trouble with La Liga rules.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Read below to find out what rules contestants must abide by in order to compete in the international competition.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Everyone knows that some form of Hamas—skinned of the top echelon of its leadership—has survived and rules the parts of Gaza that Israel never fully occupied.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2025
No matter how the trial judge rules on the motion to dismiss, the losing side is certain to appeal.
—Peter A. Joy, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2025
Days later, the Big Ten Conference’s coordinator of officials Bill Carollo and NCAA rules editor Steve Shaw told the Pioneer Press and the Des Moines Register the officials’ final decision in Iowa City was the correct enforcement.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
Papaya rules The paddock has been abuzz with chatter about a minor collision between the two McLarens in the last race, in Singapore, where Norris pulled off a daring overtake on the inside of Piastri in the opening corners, bumping wheels with his teammate and rival.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
World Athletics sets the rules, handles drug testing and organizes the championships, among other duties, but still doesn’t have the power to make the more sweeping changes Lyles thinks track and field needs.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Define which work belongs where, give people the tools and ergonomics to do it well, and write the rules down so the next hire doesn’t have to guess.
—Jason Phillips, IndyStar, 11 Nov. 2025
Under the old rules, the kicking team started at its 35-yard line and tried to kick the ball as far downfield as possible to give their defense a better chance of stopping the offense far from the end zone.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
The poll, which measured 1,850 anonymous employees worldwide, found only 31% of people say salary is openly discussed at their job–while 37% have rules against discussing pay.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
That meant that grocery stores have the legal right to set their own rules banning or limiting photography in their stores.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Can she be forced to live by the CCRs and rules?
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
The lawmakers noted in the bill’s draft that private entities that are large employers could eventually be impacted by these same rules, if the bill goes through.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
Tarrant County College is going through the process of reestablishing a faculty senate to comply with a new Texas law that changed the rules for how the governance bodies operate.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
If the court rules against the administration, the White House may be forced to return the money already collected from the levies.
—Sean Conlon,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
If the court rules that the indictment or appointment is invalid, prosecutors may be barred from refiling because the statute of limitations has expired.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Even as the club project revenues in excess of €1billion for 2025-26, this summer saw them in yet more trouble with La Liga rules.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Read below to find out what rules contestants must abide by in order to compete in the international competition.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Everyone knows that some form of Hamas—skinned of the top echelon of its leadership—has survived and rules the parts of Gaza that Israel never fully occupied.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2025
No matter how the trial judge rules on the motion to dismiss, the losing side is certain to appeal.
—Peter A. Joy, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2025
Days later, the Big Ten Conference’s coordinator of officials Bill Carollo and NCAA rules editor Steve Shaw told the Pioneer Press and the Des Moines Register the officials’ final decision in Iowa City was the correct enforcement.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
Papaya rules The paddock has been abuzz with chatter about a minor collision between the two McLarens in the last race, in Singapore, where Norris pulled off a daring overtake on the inside of Piastri in the opening corners, bumping wheels with his teammate and rival.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
The Department of Justice is empowered under the federal securities laws to protect the integrity of the American capital markets by enforcing the securities laws and regulations.—
Samidh Guha,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In September, Nevada’s Bureau of Water Pollution Control fined the company nearly $250,000 for violating environmental regulations nearly 800 times in the last two years, including for spilling untreated groundwater onto public roads and not reporting it to authorities, ProPublica first reported.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But several governments there have collapsed over questions about how the government will fund it.—
Corey Bridges,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
-
There have been growing calls from African governments and critics of Chinese mining operations, which dominate the sector, for improved safety standards.—
Elisha Iragi,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Culturally, Shinto and Buddhist traditions emphasize respect for life and nature, which are deeply valued in Japan; in Nagano and Gifu prefectures, black bears are sometimes revered as mountain deities, researchers wrote in a paper this summer.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
There were extremely rich philosophical traditions in the non-Western world that your great books classes completely ignore.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, both sides will continue pretrial work under the Classified Information Procedures Act, which governs how classified evidence is handled.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Watson, newcomers Andrew Kump, Jermaine Howard and Carlos Pacheco III and incumbents Andrew Davis and Chuck Stites will serve on the eleven-member board of commissioners that governs the Unified Government and sets county policies.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The demo will also look at emergency procedures, including those involving the Power Distribution Unit (PDU), which controls power from the solar array and battery packs.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Nov. 2025
-
More than 60% of 136 facilities connected to missile production or the Chinese military’s rocket force, which controls China’s nuclear arsenal, showed signs of expansion in satellite images.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The cemetery of good but dead laws is infinite; the main thing is that social forces exist.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
On the one hand, consumer protection laws are a hallmark of the region.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The group’s Managing Co-Chair Gina McCarthy served in both the Biden and Obama administrations.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The Department of Transportation, under multiple administrations, has attempted to address the shortage but has struggled to attract sufficient numbers of recruits to the air traffic control organization.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The 34-year-old democratic socialist is poised to take control of a 306,000-person municipal workforce in the global center of capitalism that also functions as a cultural hub that dictates trends around the world.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The reason so many people feel off track when daylight savings time ends is because light has a profound effect on the circadian rhythm, the body’s natural 24-hour clock that dictates when one sleeps and wakes.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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