RULES Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

rules 1 of 2

noun

plural of rule

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

as in governments

lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation) the years during which Russia was under Communist rule

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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

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rules

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rule

as in governs

to exercise authority or power over a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 rules

Noun

The new rules would not restrict banks' ability to count housing tax credit investments toward their Community Reinvestment Act obligations, an administration official said. — Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 But a key rationale for eligibility rules is to establish bright-line, predictable rules that should promote fair play and competition, with colleges, coaches and athletes treated similarly in similar situations. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026 New rules include stricter voter ID and citizenship-document requirements, as well as tighter mail-ballot deadlines. — Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 With shifting tariff rules and trade policies, merchants need to stay flexible to handle sudden political and financial changes. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 It’s been caused by somebody else—something else getting in the way or not following road rules, and then crashing into the Waymo. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Sacramento-area readers are tracking three developing stories this Monday, from a state legislator weighing new police transparency rules to the comeback of a major country music festival. — Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 First, the agency can issue cease-and-desist orders requiring a party to comply with FCC rules or orders. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 The Nobel rules limit the award to no more than three collaborators. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

Verb

Florida High School Athletic Association rules state that runners who don’t participate in district meets are ineligible for region races. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 Rebekka Nygård Bak, an adviser to Greenland’s fisheries ministry, told the outlet that rules requiring bycatch-friendly equipment and better bycatch reporting could also help. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2026 Spain also proposed new data center rules this summer, requiring data centers to source 80% of their electricity from renewables. — April Roach,jenny Lee, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026 The mayor is missing, the mafia is involved, a mad scientist rules the basement and all the prostitutes are vampires. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Stable streaming numbers have served as the backbone to the song’s consistency, as the track rules the Rap Streaming Songs ranking for a 17th week. — Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026 Mandeb Strait are just the latest in a series of violations of the norms and rules governing oceans. — Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026 Neither claims the most dangerous thresholds have been crossed though neither rules it out. — Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026 Ward 1 Alderman Harry Huntley said the legislation builds on outdoor dining rules the city codified in 2024. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules

Noun

The subtext of much of the industry’s palaver about the need for new regulations is that AI is so new-fangled that the old rules don’t apply.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The second began in 2010, when heroin, made cheaper by more efficient distribution, flooded the illicit market just as federal authorities began to tighten regulations on prescription opioids.

— Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulations

Noun

As the world has become more and more connected, governments have retreated from global problems.

— David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Because of its proportional representation system – voters cast one vote for a national party-list – even the largest parties rarely win more than 35 seats, and Israel has always had coalition governments.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of governments

Noun

Each of the homes is beautifully decorated for the holiday season with the homeowners’ individual styles and family traditions, organizers said.

— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The book celebrates the family's Southern, Sicilian and Cajun roots with recipes, entertaining tips and treasured traditions designed to bring loved ones together.

— Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of traditions

Verb

While Boise officials decide zoning and land use, ACHD governs local streets, and the Idaho Transportation Department controls State Street itself, legally a portion of State Highway 44.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026
With different-sized bubbles, the experiment showed that the size of the largest bubble governs the flow direction.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of governs

Noun

Representatives Lori Trahan and Jay Obernolte have advanced the FRONTIER Act, which would authorize government intervention against risky models and override some state laws.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
The company notes that schedules may change because of local laws or other requirements.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of laws

Noun

Unlike conventional antidepressants, which can take weeks to work and require daily dosing, psilocybin has shown the potential to produce rapid and lasting improvements after just a handful of administrations, Nath said.

— Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
Previous administrations were ousted when spending disagreements came to a head – and Lecornu himself resigned less than a month into his tenure over budget divisions, only to be reappointed by President Emmanuel Macron days later.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026