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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules (on)
  1. decides
  2. determines
  3. judges
  4. settles
Verb
  • The district, which governs most public roads in Ada County, often manages traffic and decides, for example, when to widen local streets.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026
  • All 23 contestants will start as Faithfuls before Cumming decides which (typically) three players will become Traitors.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of decides
Verb
  • Newsom appoints members to the foundation board, which determines what expenses to cover in the governor’s office.
    — Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2026
  • If your messaging creates an expectation, then delivery determines what people remember long term.
    — Jonathan Brierre, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of determines
Verb
  • Victor runs straight for a shield, and everyone judges him for it.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • This week’s newsletter looks at why people are drinking less alcohol, how the world judges America and how many people use chatbots like a friend.
    — Scott Clement, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of judges
Verb
  • The sides were told to notify the court if the case settles earlier.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The musk floral composition opens with Galbanum, Ambrettolide, and Sage, moves into Daffodil, Jasmine, Flouve, and Orris, and settles into Vetiver, Hay, Cypriol, and Musk, the brand added.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of settles
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
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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 19 Sep. 2026.

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