1
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
2
as in governments
lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation)
the years during which Russia was under Communist rule
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in governs
to exercise authority or power over
a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
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
While backing legislation restricting AI use in hiring and education, Pritzker’s administration has implemented internal rules dictating how state employees and contractors may use the technology.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
That tension between her love of movies and the rules of her job eventually led to an unforgettable moment.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
For some reason, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell decided to criticize these years-old rules in April 2026.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
The legislation will overhaul regulation for the City of London, including merging the payments watchdog into the FCA, reforming the financial ombudsman, and easing rules for senior staff, according to the newspaper.
—Pyotr Kozlov, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
Last October, Ink rewrote the rules of country music with Big Buskin’.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026
The game is played on the same surface with the same rules.
—Joe Smith, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
Scorpio rules shared resources and mutual debts—not just financial, but emotional.
—Glamour, 25 Apr. 2026
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), whose eVTOL rules the CAA has adopted, built a single new rule book.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2026
In astrology, Venus rules everything from our love life and personal value systems to our idea of pleasure, beauty and what makes life worth savoring.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
After the trade deal is implemented, it will be halted if the European Court of Justice rules against it.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Ace showed out in matches that followed International Table Tennis Federation rules and were officiated by licensed umpires.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
That puts her in conflict with Elliott Emerson (Richard Thomas), a local realtor who rules the community organization with an aw-shucks demeanor that masks a cage fighter’s spirit.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
Tested against professionals Sony AI evaluated Ace under International Table Tennis Federation rules.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
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
While backing legislation restricting AI use in hiring and education, Pritzker’s administration has implemented internal rules dictating how state employees and contractors may use the technology.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
That tension between her love of movies and the rules of her job eventually led to an unforgettable moment.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
For some reason, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell decided to criticize these years-old rules in April 2026.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
The legislation will overhaul regulation for the City of London, including merging the payments watchdog into the FCA, reforming the financial ombudsman, and easing rules for senior staff, according to the newspaper.
—Pyotr Kozlov, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
Last October, Ink rewrote the rules of country music with Big Buskin’.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026
The game is played on the same surface with the same rules.
—Joe Smith, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
If the court rules in favor of Musk, OpenAI’s rivals would be emboldened to take the lead in the AI race.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
Scorpio rules shared resources and mutual debts—not just financial, but emotional.
—Glamour, 25 Apr. 2026
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), whose eVTOL rules the CAA has adopted, built a single new rule book.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2026
In astrology, Venus rules everything from our love life and personal value systems to our idea of pleasure, beauty and what makes life worth savoring.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
After the trade deal is implemented, it will be halted if the European Court of Justice rules against it.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Ace showed out in matches that followed International Table Tennis Federation rules and were officiated by licensed umpires.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
That puts her in conflict with Elliott Emerson (Richard Thomas), a local realtor who rules the community organization with an aw-shucks demeanor that masks a cage fighter’s spirit.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
Tested against professionals Sony AI evaluated Ace under International Table Tennis Federation rules.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
With worker shortages deepening across the region, governments are running out of time.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
On the other, governments across the hemisphere are experimenting with approaches that emphasize economic liberalization and strong security measures.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of the most enduring royal handbag traditions dates back to Queen Elizabeth II, who reportedly used her purse as a discreet way to signal staff during public engagements.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Close the trip at Kaikaya by the Sea, a Shibuya seafood spot combining Japanese and Western seafood traditions.—
Lauren Schuster,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Copyright policy governs access to all forms of media and determines how knowledge is constructed and shared.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Ad-Industry Merger Has Players Wondering With the recent merger of advertising titans Omnicom Group and Interpublic Group, a single entity governs two of the biggest buyers of ad inventory in the business.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stadiums are notorious for their lack of multiplier impact, which is one reason these days why sports team owners, such as the McCaskey family that controls the Bears, have such a hard time hoodwinking governments into giving them direct subsidies to build their stadiums.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The divisions underscore the West’s challenges in combating China; following decades of building up its supply chains, Beijing now controls 90% of global processing.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
In past administrations, sketches of downtown concepts were drawn and put on a shelf.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Trump officials, like those in past administrations, have argued that such a warrant requirement would overburden law enforcement and endanger national security.—
Eric McDaniel,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But where once engineers could use any raw ingredients at their disposal to make parts with almost supernatural structural abilities, the climate crisis dictates a change of strategy.—
Caitlin Kennedy,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
-
That’s because the federal tax code, in section 280E, dictates that companies working with Schedule I or Schedule II substances are prohibited from deducting many standard business expenses.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rules. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
