as in decides
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
the coach ruled on the question of whether an off-campus bar fight ought to disqualify someone from the team
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules (on)
Verb
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If another team decides to make that offer, don’t expect the Cowboys to panic and reset their offer.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Mar. 2026 -
Greg decides to shake off the monotony of his life by taking a position as Writer in Residence at the prestigious (fictional) Ludlow College.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If the watch lieutenant determines the officer should continue the detention, the lieutenant must brief the shift’s duty commander, who will make a final decision.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
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Roadway geometry determines how fast people feel comfortable driving.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When smearing peanut butter on bread, the robot watches the knife deflect down and crush the bread and judges forces from that.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
2 Mar. 2026
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But Herzog never judges or condescends to Treadwell, even if his involvement in documenting the fallout becomes increasingly complicated.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When that piece settles, Annacone believes the ceiling could be extremely high.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Remember, soil settles over time.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Rules (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules%20%28on%29. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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