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

What to know about privacy Hospitals and doctors’ offices must follow codes of ethics and rules that protect sensitive patient health information and protect privacy, but AI is not bound by the same strict federal rules. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 This might feel like a pretty significant milestone for you, one whose arrival is made possible because the rules temporarily changed, because the goalposts shifted, or because the obstacles in your way finally eased up. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026 And those rules involve nudity and drinking, along with pets, cooking and spending the night. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 The June warning about Nasdaq’s new fast-entry rules also materialized, and faster than expected. — Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 With Nixon’s signing of the 1973 Endangered Species Act, obtaining exotic animals became more challenging, but also more valuable for those willing to break the rules. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026 The City of Yes plan swept aside cumbersome zoning rules and made office buildings completed as recently as 1990 eligible for conversion in most of Manhattan and parts of other boroughs. — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026 Last year, the Pentagon attempted to impose major restrictions on journalists working inside the Pentagon, which, in turn, led most news outlets to turn in their access badges and walk out rather than agree to the new rules. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 After an investigation was conducted, the Cruise Lines International Association and the International Maritime Organization implemented over 30 new safety rules and policies to avoid replicating the 2012 disaster, per CNN. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Verb

The proceedings will then go forward in a trial format, with an opportunity to appeal if the commission rules against him. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026 As such neither, as per Article 16 of the FIGC’s Sports Agents rules on incompatibility and conflict of interest, would have had to leave their roles in the event Pirlo senior secured the Italy job. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026 In doing so, prosecutors bypassed the need for a preliminary hearing, during which a judge rules on whether enough evidence exists to send the case to trial after a hearing that’s open to the public. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 Whatever fraud rules America gets this decade will not come from Washington. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The avenue lies within the city’s original historic district, where preservation rules tightly regulate new construction and alterations. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 The sun rules Leo, making this luminary operate with unusual strength here, which encourages us to pursue joy more deliberately and stop undermining the parts of ourselves that deserve to be seen. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 The states are also seeking a preliminary injunction, which would block the merger until the judge rules on the merits of the states’ lawsuit. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 July 2026 Penelope remains faithful and rules Ithaca in his absence, cunningly stalling her suitors. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules

Noun

Like Rominger, Crowfoot said the ESA can at times be too heavy handed, and said there was always room to tweak the law, particularly in an era where California is confronting a cost of living crisis some pin on regulations restricting growth.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Agencies entering into an agreement to place an ALPR along an MDOT trunkline are required to follow strict regulations for both the placement of equipment and use of resulting data.

— Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of regulations

Noun

All that has significant implications for the companies that build data centers and the governments that want them to be built.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Electricity demand is rising, artificial intelligence has turned access to power into a strategic issue, and governments are once again treating nuclear energy as an essential part of national energy policy.

— Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of governments

Noun

And for Southerners, in particular, these types of trips provide chances to pass down beloved traditions and introduce the next generation to the places and pastimes that have long been part of your family’s story.

— Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026
There is no intent other than honoring the traditions of the Native American history.

— Scott Powers, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of traditions

Verb

Congress has not passed a farm bill — a legislative package normally done every five years that governs agricultural and food programs — since 2018.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Christopherson said the wider drop-off defies the simple currency logic that normally governs foreign buying behavior.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Definition of governs

Noun

Liberal advocacy groups urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to end his attacks on ABC, and conservative groups warned Carr not to set a precedent that would harm conservatives in future administrations.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026
But everyone will suffer if other administrations maintain barriers to entry that discriminate on the basis of country of origin.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026

Definition of administrations

Noun

Their rules tend to reflect strong preferences for aesthetic uniformity, believed by some to be associated with higher home values.

— Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
The show is remembered for its positive portrayal of a Black family with strong morals and values.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Aug. 2026