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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In an interview with Variety in April 2023, Coelen shared that the crew often decides who will reveal their decision first at the altar.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025 -
Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This is the real-world psychology that determines relationship success or failure, and many matchmakers overlook these deeper patterns.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, determines how to fund departments in the executive branch.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As West reports, Dubno’s update puts us in the head of an unnamed twentysomething who judges her peers at a cocktail party.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
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Along with hosting Taskmaster, Horne serves as the umpire for each challenge, while Davies judges the performances and awards points on how well the contestants do.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But today, Don Swift settles all family business.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
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Get a FanCash refund if your bet settles as a loss.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
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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 9 Oct. 2025.
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