1
as in regulations
a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity
read the rules that are posted before you use the pool
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in governments
lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation)
the years during which Russia was under Communist rule
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in traditions
an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing
one of the sacred rules of that ancient society was respect for the elderly
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in governs
to exercise authority or power over
a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in controls
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
a monarch who is known for ruling her emotions with an iron hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rules
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Employers then automatically increase your contributions by 1% of your paya year until the contributions reach between 8% and 10%, depending on state rules.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Even some of those federation leaders aren’t sure of the rules.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
The Rule Breaker Breaking the rules, the TSA spokespersons said, generally comes from not knowing the rules or passengers simply forgetting.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Plan a lighthearted date or a family game, and let your diplomatic tone set easy rules so everyone feels seen.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
If the home has a pool or other amenities, check on any rules or schedule.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
Kennedy explicitly denied breaking any rules.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
But talking about identity has ever-shifting rules and hierarchies that amount to bear-traps that can spring at any time.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
He is kept well away from current Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s family cats, JoJo and Prince, who inhabit the private family quarters while Larry rules the working areas of Downing Street.
—Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
These characteristics reflect themes covered by the Ninth House of Adventure and Higher Learning, which Sagittarius rules.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
But even in California, dairy milk still rules the roost, and every year for nearly 70 years, the California Milk Advisory Board has crowned its California Dairy Princess as its dairy ambassador.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Importantly, the First Proof rules disallow human mathematical input or prodding.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2026
Lacrosse still rules in their home.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
For people that are not tracking what that actually means, that means that ICE can do almost no arrests in the entire country … If a court rules that there’s a final order of removal, they’re removed actually by an administrative warrant, not a judicial warrant.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Judge rules federal prosecutors can't seek death penalty Mangione, 27, is facing both federal and state charges in the 2024 killing of Thompson.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Heat strengthens pure metals Standard metallurgical rules dictate that heat eases atomic movement, rendering metals more pliable and simpler to reshape under normal conditions.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Employers then automatically increase your contributions by 1% of your paya year until the contributions reach between 8% and 10%, depending on state rules.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Even some of those federation leaders aren’t sure of the rules.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
The Rule Breaker Breaking the rules, the TSA spokespersons said, generally comes from not knowing the rules or passengers simply forgetting.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Plan a lighthearted date or a family game, and let your diplomatic tone set easy rules so everyone feels seen.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
If the home has a pool or other amenities, check on any rules or schedule.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
Kennedy explicitly denied breaking any rules.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
But talking about identity has ever-shifting rules and hierarchies that amount to bear-traps that can spring at any time.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
The will of the people is what rules our land, bound by the limits of the Constitution.
—Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
He is kept well away from current Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s family cats, JoJo and Prince, who inhabit the private family quarters while Larry rules the working areas of Downing Street.
—Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
These characteristics reflect themes covered by the Ninth House of Adventure and Higher Learning, which Sagittarius rules.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
But even in California, dairy milk still rules the roost, and every year for nearly 70 years, the California Milk Advisory Board has crowned its California Dairy Princess as its dairy ambassador.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Importantly, the First Proof rules disallow human mathematical input or prodding.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2026
Lacrosse still rules in their home.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
For people that are not tracking what that actually means, that means that ICE can do almost no arrests in the entire country … If a court rules that there’s a final order of removal, they’re removed actually by an administrative warrant, not a judicial warrant.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Judge rules federal prosecutors can't seek death penalty Mangione, 27, is facing both federal and state charges in the 2024 killing of Thompson.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
Officials are also trying to make sure that the electronic logging devices drivers use are accurate, and that states are following all the regulations to ensure drivers are qualified to get commercial licenses.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
High tariffs and federal regulations currently prevent BYD from selling its passenger cars in the United States.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While the International Olympic Committee does not award prize money, many governments and national Olympic bodies offer cash bonuses.—
Lee Ying Shan,Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Given that peril, should governments regulate AI?—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lunar New Year celebrations are in full swing as millions participate in festivities and honor traditions believed to bring good fortune.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Talk to them about their life, their culture, their traditions.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, the Broward Teachers Union is filing a grievance, which in part challenges whether the meeting violated the state’s Sunshine Law that governs open meetings, President Anna Fusco told the Sun Sentinel.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Moore governs one of the bluest states in the country.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The office controls an annual budget of approximately $10 billion, with more than 22,000 employees.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
But the president ultimately controls both parties to the lawsuit.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The letter, an admonition to King’s fellow faith leaders, describes a moral responsibility to break laws that are unjust.—
Caitlin Hu,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Existing particles will now obey new laws of physics, and so existing structures will be destroyed and replaced by new structures that obey different laws.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The persistence of deportation and enforcement practices across Democratic and Republican administrations reflects a broader failure to establish genuinely humane immigration policies.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The endangerment finding has been in place for more than 15 years, across administrations from both parties.—
Yoca Arditi-Rocha,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Blacksmiths have relied on the softening glow of the forge since the Iron Age, and Metallurgy 101 dictates that thermal energy makes atoms slide past each other with ease.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Of course, the genre dictates that a seemingly sure thing be vexed, and this rom-com is no different.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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