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 mandated that referees stop play for a ten-minute hydration break that allows players to drink fluids, change clothes, or shower in their locker room. — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026 Local authorities say rules have been set by US authorities barring personnel from visiting cannabis dispensaries and taking part in watersports including jet skiing and parasailing. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 The Davis City Council voted Tuesday to approve a slate of changes to outdoor dining rules aimed at spurring economic development downtown. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Preserve the datasets, prompts, model versions and business rules behind key outputs. — Atul Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The partnership arrives just as federal rules force battery scrap to stay inside the United States. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 Steel grilled Hester about breaking the rules to communicate with Grant, the other cooperating witness, while the two were locked up. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 The Big Ten and SEC on Tuesday passed rules prohibiting their schools from using football players who had signed a pro contract, made a pro roster or declared early for the draft and did not withdraw before the NCAA’s deadline. — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Even if the appeals court rules in the plaintiffs’ favor, Realmuto expects the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

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 Local governments, such as Philadelphia schools, are also governed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, which issues rules on financial transactions and reporting. — Kathryn Blackman, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 Trump administration and policy pushback A federal judge rules that Pres. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Robinson, who is currently in state prison, will remain in custody at least until a judge rules on his custody status at a hearing, Wagstaffe said. — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 And merchant readiness, so offers carry the stock, price and rules an agent can read and act on instantly. — Lital Marom, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Banana Ball rules 2026 Here are the 13 rules of Banana Ball, per its website. — Ahmed Jawadi, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Department of Revenue rules state that Wisconsin residents can claim this credit on only one primary residence. — Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules

Noun

At the new packaging coalition, one lobbyist is Rachel Wagoner, the former head of CalRecycle, who helped draft, negotiate and usher in the regulations for the single-use plastics bill.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
While calling for additional regulations involving e-bikes, the chief also returned to the scene to personally thank those who helped rescue the woman.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of regulations

Noun

Waste plastic could provide another source of hydrocarbons for fuel production, particularly as governments and industry look for ways to deal with both plastic waste and aviation emissions.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Much of the remaining acreage consists of brownfield developments that were allowed to dilapidate into disrepair under the governments of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro.

— David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of governments

Noun

Ravens famously accompany Odin in Norse mythology, while ravens and crows play important—and varied—roles in the traditions of many Indigenous peoples across North America.

— Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026
Ceremony and traditions From its inception to 2019, the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony was held in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of traditions

Verb

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

Definition of governs

Noun

The state agency oversees the facility’s air and water quality permits and compliance with environmental waste laws.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Johnson has repeatedly spoken out about how Missouri’s gun laws have hampered prosecuting the case, after two of the men charged in the shooting received plea agreements.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of laws

Noun

The Bush and Obama administrations were heavily criticized by Republicans for the bailout, spurring on the nascent Tea Party movement with complaints of government overreach into the free market.

— Norah Rami, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Those deals took place under multiple presidential administrations of both parties, and various FTC leaders.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of administrations

Noun

Call it Comer 2035, a vision separate from the system’s broader Elevate 2035 plan that would articulate Comer’s pediatric-specific values and commitments.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Two common ones include beliefs about whether someone will listen and share information and whether someone shares your values.

— John C. Besley, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026