GOVERNS Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

governs

verb

present tense third-person singular of govern

as in rules

to exercise authority or power over the president is elected in order to govern the country, not to follow public opinion polls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in regulates

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you need to govern your speech and be able to communicate your outrage without resorting to profanity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in operates

to look after and make decisions about the company's finances are governed by its chief financial officer

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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 governs American law governs the ownership of ideas with considerable precision. —

Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026 The rulings also point to a potential reckoning with the Section 230 provision of the Communications Decency Act that governs free speech. —

Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026 Iranian proxy forces in the region include Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon, and Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip. —

Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026 Texas law governs how long creditors have to collect debts after a person dies and who may be responsible. —

Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026 In his second run as CEO, Iger pushed back against DeSantis’s anti-Disney campaign and in March 2024 Disney reached a settlement with Florida in the legal fight over the special district that governs Walt Disney World. —

Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026 The committee has historically convened every 10 years to seek resident input and give recommendations on which proposed amendments to the city’s charter — the document that governs the city — should be put in front of voters. —

Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026 At issue with the new DHS policy is the interpretation of Section 209 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the statute that governs refugee adjustments and moves them from refugee status to lawful permanent resident. —

Ashley Sanchez, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026 The suit alleges several violations of the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies enact new policies, and asks the court to bar the policy from being implemented. —

Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs

Verb

For noncustodial parents, these age rules only matter if Form 8332 is in place.

— Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Artemis is the daughter of Zeus, who rules over all of the other gods, and Leto, one of the goddesses of childhood.

— Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026