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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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. 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

Jaylen Brown has an 18th-century harp sitting in his living room, and that harp rules. — Rembert Browne, Architectural Digest, 2 Nov. 2026 Even Disneyland has changed the rules around who can use the fast lanes, and that’s had really weird implications. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026 The two judges cited longstanding legal precedent, known as the Purcell principle, that election rules should not be altered on the eve of an election, as well as the fact that the Constitution gives states authority to run elections. — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026 There’s a measure on your California ballot that could change spending rules for community health clinics. — Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026 But under city rules, drive-thru facilities would not normally be allowed on the property. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026 Coverage limits, exclusions, optional benefits and reimbursement rules can vary substantially between insurers. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 The rules, expected to take effect in 2027, set shorter waits for people earning above specified thresholds; care workers could still qualify after five years. — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 All three said West Point appears to be circumventing the judge's ruling by using a different justification to continue to enforce its speech rules. — Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Verb

Florida High School Athletic Association rules state that runners who don’t participate in district meets are ineligible for region and state races. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026 That adviser suggested the president and Democrats could also work together on AI — particularly rules around data centers — and other cost-of-living issues. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026 Tafoya’s donors also include a lengthy list of team owners and NBC’s NFL rules analyst Terry McAulay ($1,000). — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 3 Nov. 2026 Senate rules on campaigning Whether Marshall can use his Senate staff for campaigning is murky. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026 Brown previously served as chairman, but caucus rules state that seniority resets if a senator leaves and then is reelected. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026 The order won’t take effect until the court rules on the government’s motion for a stay pending appeal. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 Today, the half-boot Oxford rules supreme, but Derbies and Brogues are also quite popular with both men and women. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026 The system sued the Education Department in March, arguing that SJSU followed the law and NCAA rules that governed the seasons under review. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules

Noun

Most of what is available on store shelves in Minnesota has five milligrams per serving, which was part of the state's own regulations enacted in 2022.

— Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
While the rest of Australia struggled with lockdown and tight regulations that dragged on, Queensland fared generally well, with looser rules and relatively low numbers of cases after the initial shutdowns.

— Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of regulations

Noun

Her predecessors traditionally championed charitable causes, but the current occupant of the East Wing has plunged into something resembling actual diplomacy, persuading two governments at war to cooperate.

— Anna Rahmanan, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
National governments will already be looking at their aviation authority regulations and frameworks and there will be discussions at the European and global level, John Edwards, senior consultant at Gates Aviation in London, said by phone.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of governments

Noun

This week, San Francisco City Hall hosted its inaugural Diwali celebration, with Mayor Daniel Lurie welcoming the holiday and the community's traditions into the civic space.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Whereas widowed Lord Balfour (Charles Esten) fully expects to carry his homeland’s aristocratic traditions abroad, complete with an apparent Black slave for his hoity-toity young daughter.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of traditions

Verb

Pancho’s implant, a delicate array of electrodes spread over a flat, flexible rectangular device like a business card, is placed on the surface of his vocal motor cortex, which governs speech production.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
What governs the system is the law that governs the company operating it.

— Antoni Kozelski, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of governs

Verb

One is fezolinetant, which works in the area of the brain that controls body temperature and blocks a source of hot flashes and night sweats.

— Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
That’s three negative developments in three Senate races that could determine which party controls the chamber, all of them contests in which Democrats were believed to be favored.

— W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of controls

Noun

California voters have twice rejected ballot measures to abolish the death penalty, first in 2012 and again in 2016, and Newsom’s decision overrides the will of the courts and state laws that permit capital punishment.

— Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Speaking in Spanish, Leo emphasized the importance of protecting family life and delivered a pointed criticism of both laws.

— Carrie Kahn, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of laws

Noun

Institutionalizing those limits would help prevent future administrations from using civil-rights enforcement to impose political orthodoxy.

— Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
But the war powers resolution has largely been ignored by presidents of both parties, with administrations sidestepping its requirements.

— Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of administrations

Noun

The backstory The first Mandarin Oriental hotel—then called The Mandarin—opened its doors in Hong Kong in 1963 and has remained central to the hotel group’s core values, despite global expansion.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
There’s nostalgia and old world values as well as breaks from conventional and subtle sociopolitical commentary.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026