RULES (ON) Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

rules (on)

verb

present tense third-person singular of rule (on)

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules (on)

Verb

While mulling over ideas, Kris decides to visit the franchise’s original final girl, the reclusive Billie (played mesmerizingly by Gillian Anderson, complete with a southern accent).

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
The subcommittee then decides how much money each eligible person should receive.

— Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of decides

Verb

In reality, bonding capacity often determines how quickly a contractor can expand.

— Nikhil Chandankhede, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Jones came into the weekend 18th in the standings, 44 points behind 16th-place Austin Cindric for the final spot in The Chase that determines the series champion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of determines

Verb

MasterChef Australia judges Yeow and Sofia Levin later spoke to 10 News about welcoming Meghan to the set, describing an enthusiastic atmosphere among the contestants.

— Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Which means Beijing is regulating what your fifteen-year-old does after dinner, behind a closed door, with an entity that never tires of them, never judges them, and never has a bad day of its own.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of judges

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.

Browse Nearby Words

rules

rules (on)

rules out

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rules (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules%20%28on%29. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rules (on)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vacuous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes