GOVERNS Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

governs

verb

present tense third-person singular of govern

as in rules

to exercise authority or power over the president is elected in order to govern the country, not to follow public opinion polls

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as in regulates

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you need to govern your speech and be able to communicate your outrage without resorting to profanity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in operates

to look after and make decisions about the company's finances are governed by its chief financial officer

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of governs Long-term resource potential Technical performance alone cannot justify a project; economic balance governs actual field deployment. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 The fight centers on the interpretation of the 2015 state Senate Bill 34, which governs ALPR use. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026 William Roberson Polaris’ Ride Command system governs the crisp 7-inch center touchscreen display (above), which features Apple CarPlay and full GPS operability. — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 While the Boise officials decide zoning and land use, the Ada County Highway District governs local streets, and the Idaho Transportation Department controls State Street itself, legally a portion of state Highway 44. — Mark Dee august 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026 Both of those functions are what the law that governs derivatives, and its federal regulator, are meant to protect. — Brian Quintenz, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 This authority is captured in several documents, including the league constitution that governs the contractual relationship between the league and teams. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Aug. 2026 The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that governs impulse control and long-range judgment, is not fully developed until the mid-twenties. — Emily Stack, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 New regulation governs millions of yards California’s Board of Forestry will ban plants within one foot of homes and most combustibles within five feet for millions in high fire-risk communities. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs

Verb

And rules about how the government may enforce such a law must be very clear, and have to be presented in a precise way to states, agencies or others before they can be accused of any violations.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
To the extent these independent contentions were intended to imply that NBA rules permit teams, at the request of players, to initiate off-court income opportunities for players, that implication is incorrect.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of rules

Verb

Niacinamide — a multi-functional ingredient that strengthens the skin barrier, regulates oil production, and calms and fades discoloration — is also in the mix.

— Claudia Fisher, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
There’s also research that indicates microplastics cause disruptions to our endocrine system, which regulates our hormones.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of regulates

Verb

Beauty, where product development operates at warp speed comparatively, the beauty executive knows which categories can be fast-tracked to market and which need more time.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Both were familiar with the Plaza’s owners, the company which owns and operates Dallas’s historic high-end shopping district, Highland Park Village.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of operates

Verb

Although the book contains a disclaimer saying some facts were changed, Palal argued that names, hotels and other details changed while the central account did not.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Seed butter contains nutrients naturally found in the whole seed, including protein, fiber, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of contains

Verb

The State Board of Education supervises public education in Michigan and appoints the state superintendent.

— Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The executive also coordinates and supervises county departments and is responsible for submitting an annual balanced budget to the Legislature.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervises

Verb

During his broadcasting career, Martin also served as regional vice president and president of Gray Kentucky Television, which oversees WKYT, WYMT and WBKO-TV in Bowling Green.

— Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Aug. 2026
The eight-member body oversees McCuskey’s work and consists of four Democratic and four Republican legislators, including Keicher.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of oversees

Verb

That has forced tankers onto longer routes and pushed up insurance costs, tightening the effective supply of vessels even as global trade keeps moving.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
The 340-pound ball is just soft enough to bounce lightly over bumpy obstacles, but its slight overpressure keeps it relatively firm.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026