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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rules
John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The store is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community on their tribal land and licensed under their cannabis ordinance, which sets rules and regulations consistent with Minnesota laws, according the tribe.
—Frankie McLister, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
League rules — which the players’ union wants to change — require most players to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for awards like MVP.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Taiwan’s rules now require Chinese visitors to hold valid resident visas from another country, such as the United States or a member of the European Union, to apply for visitor visas.
—Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
That was replaced by rules allowing homeowners to exempt up to $250,000 each (or $500,000 for a married couple), limits that haven’t been updated since.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Another account asked Grok, X’s AI chatbot, whether it would be classified as an aggregator under the new rules.
—Austin Mullen, NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026
The vote does not approve a specific project, rather a change to the zoning rules to support potential Portfolio Homes projects in the future.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2026
Automakers are required by federal industry rules to add some features, such as rear-view cameras.
—Alexa St. John, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Sean Keane, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Christopher McVey was sent off late against Real Salt Lake after a second yellow card, which rules him out for Saturday and forces a lineup shuffle.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
While the Premier League has theoretically relaxed restrictions following Manchester City’s legal challenges, UEFA rules over APTs remain more prohibitive.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
If any court of law, having the jurisdiction to decide on this matter, rules that any provision of these Official Rules is invalid or unenforceable, then that provision will be removed from the Official Rules without affecting the rest of the terms.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
The protocol boiled down to the fact that the House of Grimaldi rules Monaco as a principality, not a monarchy, according to fan blog Royal Style Watch.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Charlie Cox returns as Marvel's Man Without Fear alongside Vincent D'Onofrio as Kingpin, who now rules New York City with an iron fist.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Artemis is the daughter of Zeus, who rules over all of the other gods, and Leto, one of the goddesses of childhood.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
As North Texas prepares to host thousands of international visitors for the World Cup, many travelers may be unfamiliar with Texas alcohol laws — particularly rules on driving, public drinking and intoxication.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
The federal law sets out rules and procedures for gathering foreign intelligence through electronic surveillance, physical searches, pen registers and more.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The store is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community on their tribal land and licensed under their cannabis ordinance, which sets rules and regulations consistent with Minnesota laws, according the tribe.
—Frankie McLister, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
League rules — which the players’ union wants to change — require most players to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for awards like MVP.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Taiwan’s rules now require Chinese visitors to hold valid resident visas from another country, such as the United States or a member of the European Union, to apply for visitor visas.
—Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
That was replaced by rules allowing homeowners to exempt up to $250,000 each (or $500,000 for a married couple), limits that haven’t been updated since.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Another account asked Grok, X’s AI chatbot, whether it would be classified as an aggregator under the new rules.
—Austin Mullen, NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026
The vote does not approve a specific project, rather a change to the zoning rules to support potential Portfolio Homes projects in the future.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2026
Automakers are required by federal industry rules to add some features, such as rear-view cameras.
—Alexa St. John, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
Ahead of the show's premiere, Witwer spoke to ABC News about what Devon offers Maul in a galaxy where his former master, Darth Sidious, now rules as Emperor Palpatine.
—Sean Keane, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Christopher McVey was sent off late against Real Salt Lake after a second yellow card, which rules him out for Saturday and forces a lineup shuffle.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
While the Premier League has theoretically relaxed restrictions following Manchester City’s legal challenges, UEFA rules over APTs remain more prohibitive.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
If any court of law, having the jurisdiction to decide on this matter, rules that any provision of these Official Rules is invalid or unenforceable, then that provision will be removed from the Official Rules without affecting the rest of the terms.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
The protocol boiled down to the fact that the House of Grimaldi rules Monaco as a principality, not a monarchy, according to fan blog Royal Style Watch.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Charlie Cox returns as Marvel's Man Without Fear alongside Vincent D'Onofrio as Kingpin, who now rules New York City with an iron fist.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Artemis is the daughter of Zeus, who rules over all of the other gods, and Leto, one of the goddesses of childhood.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
As North Texas prepares to host thousands of international visitors for the World Cup, many travelers may be unfamiliar with Texas alcohol laws — particularly rules on driving, public drinking and intoxication.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
Protesters argue that the measure was misleading without an exact date set; the spokesperson pointed WCCO to several initiatives that the county is working through to repurpose HERC while staying within the bounds of waste management regulations.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Our research examines how factors such as price-transparency regulations influence patient choices.—
Deidre Popovich,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On January 27, 1973, the United States and the governments of North and South Vietnam signed the Paris Peace Accords, negotiated by Kissinger, in his capacity as Nixon’s national-security adviser, and the North Vietnamese diplomat Le Duc Tho.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Number one, across the world, governments have pulled out of managing the economy, managing companies, and let the private sector do the job.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The biggest game of the Philadelphia Flyers’ season began with one of the franchise’s oldest traditions.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on Tidal Basin traditions and baseball benchmarks.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In theory, nothing governs these companies other than their own morals and their investors.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The spot price governs Brent oil for delivery in the next 10 to 30 days, in contrast to futures contracts for delivery in June and beyond.—
Spencer Kimball,Pippa Stevens,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There, he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a malignant tumor that is located on the part of the brain that controls coordination and movement, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
But Lincoln controls the whole tempo, the complete vibe of the affair with her epic vocals, effortless charm, and wonderful instincts.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ban does not apply in Macao and Hong Kong — where the BTS tour lands in 2027 — because both are special regions in China with their own governments and laws.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This drop is partly the result of many smoking laws enacted in the past 50 years.—
Marie Helweg-Larsen,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ward expense accounts have been a touchy area for mayoral administrations to encroach on in times of austerity.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The effort was surprising, given successive US administrations froze it out over its alleged support for militant groups, accusations Pakistan repeatedly denied.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The league brings in less revenue, for one, and its CBA also dictates that no player can sign a contract for an AAV greater than 20 percent of the salary cap — proportionally lower, by 15 percent, than the NBA supermax.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Remember, too, that while the conventional wisdom dictates that a new mortgage rate that's a full percentage point lower than your current one is worth pursuing, sometimes a rate that's just half a percentage point lower could also be valuable.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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