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

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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 lack of information generally is a big issue for blind travelers as well, along with airline and airport employees not understanding the rules that govern accommodations for blind passengers. —

Zach Wichter, USA Today, 22 June 2026 Jessop, the Leave-supporting economist, believes the UK should make better use of its freedom from EU rules to cut red tape and lower trade barriers with the rest of the world. —

Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 That’s partly because of changes in visa rules that the previous Conservative government introduced to help out sectors that desperately needed migrant labor, such as workers to care for the elderly. —

ABC News, 21 June 2026 While golf’s traditions have changed little since the tournament’s inception in the late 1800s, the AI boom has given rise to a new generation of tools to help players understand the game’s rules and fans enjoy major tournaments. —

Jared Perlo, NBC news, 21 June 2026 While Casa Amor is a Love Island staple, its rules and twists are ever-changing. —

Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026 Some counties and cities that don’t have specific zoning rules and regulations for data center development are using short-term moratoriums. —

Rachel Mural, Fortune, 21 June 2026 And, as the Campaign Legal Center has reported, a combination of vague rules and lack of enforcement has led to super PACs often finding ways to circumvent the no coordination with the candidate requirement. —

Richard J. Davis, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026 There are rules for the proper display and disposal of the flag. —

Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026

Verb

He was called to the stewards and slapped with a one-race ban that rules him out of Sunday's Grand Prix. —

Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026 Best player available rules the day. —

Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 Aquarius rules communities, friendships, technology, social structures and the future, while Pluto retrograde turns the energy inward. —

Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026 Rome rules the known world yet is collapsing from within. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 June 2026 Presented with this opening, the IPAA later asked for stripper wells to be exempted from the methane rules entirely. —

Alex Cuadros, ProPublica, 16 June 2026 Judge rules Brad Raffensperger doesn’t have to let anyone watch his office compile results on election night. —

Adam Beam, AJC.com, 15 June 2026 For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA. —

Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026 For the first time in 53 years, New York rules the NBA. —

Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rules

Noun

The park must comply with California’s strict emissions regulations by February 2027, according to the Orange County Register.

— Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
The Broward County Commission approved new regulations this week targeting condo elevator maintenance, a move aimed at forcing building owners and homeowners' associations to establish formal protocols during outages.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 19 June 2026