1
as in to rule
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
2
as in to regulate
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about
the company's finances are governed by its chief financial officer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of govern
In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold.
—
Lauren Coates, Variety, 5 June 2025
However, federal courts aren’t governed by that state law passed in 2020.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
What is the current state of mining? Amon: Mining in international waters is governed by the International Seabed Authority, an autonomous United Nations authority.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 June 2025
Those organizations want to police themselves, and have gone so far as to have a meeting earlier this year to lay down the rules to the NCAA at how that organization will govern those two top leagues.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for govern
Lauren Coates, Variety, 5 June 2025
However, federal courts aren’t governed by that state law passed in 2020.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
What is the current state of mining? Amon: Mining in international waters is governed by the International Seabed Authority, an autonomous United Nations authority.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 June 2025
Those organizations want to police themselves, and have gone so far as to have a meeting earlier this year to lay down the rules to the NCAA at how that organization will govern those two top leagues.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for govern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern
Verb
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Authorities initially ruled Smith’s death a hit-and-run — before reopening the case in June 2021, following the murders of Maggie and Paul.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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Just this week, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump can revoke humanitarian parole for over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
Verb
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That ruling was compromised somewhat by a later decision that allowed a farmer’s consumption of his own wheat to be regulated, and a lamentable 6-3 decision allowing federal regulation of marijuana possession.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
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The very principle of financialization rules even the most mundane exchange of objects in the same manner that the most banal exchange of economic investment and speculation regulates the sign of spiritual autonomy and utopian aspirations that abstraction had initially promised.—
Benjamin H. D. Buchloh,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Klamath Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2025
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The city must manage costs — as difficult as that is to do politically — rather than searching for new ways to increase taxes.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Asos sold the majority stake in the business for $178 million to the Danish fashion business controlled by the major Asos shareholder Anders Povlsen, who already owns popular European retail brands including Jack & Jones and Vero Moda via his Bestseller business.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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But in other matches, such as recent defeats to Bay FC and Racing Louisville, Angel City has faltered — often losing despite controlling possession.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Verb
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This newsletter contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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As of Friday evening, the blaze has been fully contained.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Signet also operates Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, Blue Nile, JamesAllen.com, Rocksbox, Peoples Jewellers, H. Samuel and Ernest Jones.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 June 2025
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The property at 6161 W. Grand Ave. was previously operated as a Holiday Inn.—
Erin Yarnall,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Battling drug addiction, Sink signed up for a Planet Fitness membership with the hope working out would keep him sober, according to a probable cause statement obtained by the Indianapolis Star.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
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The deceptively simple secret to this prolific output that keeps Caamp (in addition to Sumbuck, his solo side project) awash in deeply personal, bittersweet vignettes?—
Janine Schaults,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Verb
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A week later, Qasem Hassan learned that the School for Continuing Medical Education in Family Medicine, which oversaw the ethics course, had received a letter from several residents in the class.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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Eventually the archipelago was divided, with the western islands becoming the independent nation of Samoa and the eastern ones becoming American Samoa, overseen by the Navy.—
Mark Thiessen,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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