as in rules
a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity
before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules
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Recent Examples of ground rules
What Maryland's surveillance pricing law actually does The Protection from Predatory Pricing Act sets some clear ground rules for large grocery retailers.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Because along with this freedom, students are also taught – and are practicing – respect for others, the correct use of materials, completing cycles of work, and following classroom ground rules.
—Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
In helming one of the world’s biggest airline groups, Kirby has also laid some ground rules to avoid burnout.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
In a hearing before Judge Lyons on Monday, the attorneys for Toledo's family and the city began going over ground rules for the trial.
—Jessica Popowcer, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
This may mean changing your mindset; this may mean family therapy; this may mean taking a firmer stance on ground rules for respect in the home, in conjunction with your husband.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
You’re allowed to set ground rules for all connections — even friendships.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Students created Instagram accounts with posts to share walking routes, protest times, last-minute changes and ground rules for the demonstrations, such as a prohibition on violence.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Instead, White suggests talking about things in advance and setting some ground rules.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Because along with this freedom, students are also taught – and are practicing – respect for others, the correct use of materials, completing cycles of work, and following classroom ground rules.
—Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
In helming one of the world’s biggest airline groups, Kirby has also laid some ground rules to avoid burnout.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
In a hearing before Judge Lyons on Monday, the attorneys for Toledo's family and the city began going over ground rules for the trial.
—Jessica Popowcer, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
This may mean changing your mindset; this may mean family therapy; this may mean taking a firmer stance on ground rules for respect in the home, in conjunction with your husband.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
You’re allowed to set ground rules for all connections — even friendships.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Students created Instagram accounts with posts to share walking routes, protest times, last-minute changes and ground rules for the demonstrations, such as a prohibition on violence.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Instead, White suggests talking about things in advance and setting some ground rules.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground rules
Noun
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The back-to-back resignations and investigations, spanning both parties and both the legislative and executive branches, have reignited a debate about whether Washington’s rules and institutions for self-oversight can keep pace with the misconduct unfolding within it.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Confirm whether the rules apply to all classes of e-bikes as some areas also have stricter laws for the faster (class 3) e-bikes.—
Dr. Phyllis Agran,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the time, Polis acknowledged the need for tighter regulations but said he was influenced to reject the bill after Uber threatened to leave the state if the bill passed.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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And what that really means is, if there are no regulations, then every OEM is going to go back to their cultural norm.—
Jamie Lincoln Kitman,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The indictment also charges Meade and West each with one count of conspiracy to obstruct and defeat the Internal Revenue Service, five counts of attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws and seven counts of aiding or assisting the filing of false documents, officials said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
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The humbling end to a mercifully brief career should be a warning to anyone else who might try to get elected by brazenly flouting the disclosure laws.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Connecticut updates its state building and fire codes every four years, and those rules govern many of the details on how new development goes up in the state.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
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Kelsey Arends, senior staff attorney for Nebraska Appleseed, an advocacy group, said the state’s long list of medical billing codes for conditions that would be exempted is still not long enough.—
Phil Galewitz,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ground rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20rules. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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