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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules (on)

Verb

Cybersecurity specialist Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor) decides to turn whistleblower upon discovering that the US government has been suppressing evidence of extra-terrrestrial life, as part of a cover-up that goes back decades.

— Tom Bailey, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Then Sean moves away and grows up to become a spy who, after wrapping up a mission involving smuggling a nuclear warhead for reasons unknown, decides to pay an impromptu visit to his tweenage buddies.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of decides

Verb

Operational value creation is what is left, and in a cycle concentrated below $1 billion, the quality of the separation is what determines the return.

— Miki Kapoor, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Each establishment determines the experiences offered to Inside members and his or her plus-one.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of determines

Verb

For an adolescent navigating friendships, rejection, identity and belonging, something that never judges them or gossips and is always available can be incredibly compelling.

— Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
He was seen on the CBS broadcast giving one of the side judges an earful.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 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.

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rules

rules (on)

rules out

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“Rules (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules%20%28on%29. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rules (on)

verb

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