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
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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
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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
As part of the contract agreed with World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, CBS will also become the home of not only every men’s and women’s World Cup match but also men’s and women’s USA national team matches.
—
Adam Crafton, New York Times, 22 May 2025
For medical marijuana providers in Texas and elsewhere, the hemp industry is a wild-west competitor — not subject to the strict safety testing, sales limits or security controls that govern legal marijuana.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 22 May 2025
Starvation as weapon of war The use of starvation as a weapon is strictly forbidden under the Geneva Conventions, a set of statutes that govern the laws of warfare.
—Yara M. Asi, The Conversation, 21 May 2025
State laws governing solar projects have frustrated many county lawmakers, who feel the state is taking the control over local projects out of their hands.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for govern
Adam Crafton, New York Times, 22 May 2025
For medical marijuana providers in Texas and elsewhere, the hemp industry is a wild-west competitor — not subject to the strict safety testing, sales limits or security controls that govern legal marijuana.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 22 May 2025
Starvation as weapon of war The use of starvation as a weapon is strictly forbidden under the Geneva Conventions, a set of statutes that govern the laws of warfare.
—Yara M. Asi, The Conversation, 21 May 2025
State laws governing solar projects have frustrated many county lawmakers, who feel the state is taking the control over local projects out of their hands.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for govern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for govern
Verb
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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
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The District Court for the District of South Carolina had ruled in favor of the NAACP following the organization's claims of racial gerrymandering involving South Carolina's 1st Congressional District on the state's coast.—
Alex Thomas,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
Verb
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The team worked quickly to regulate his blood glucose, rehydrate him, and start him on antibiotics—just in time.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
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Using the large-scale health research database UK Biobank, the researchers examined data from individuals with rare variants in the genes regulating SCFA-binding receptors and compared their cardiovascular medical history to that of control individuals.—
Paul McClure
June 01,
New Atlas,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Your role in the economy could move from direct labor, to managing AI systems like the CEO of a company manages their direct reports, to steering the direction of AI systems working for you like a company board weighing in on long-term direction.—
Luke Drago,
Time,
30 May 2025
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Klamath Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The missing money controlled by Velazquez was supposed to go toward undercover narcotics operations.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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Lau’s discipline is the physical extension of a whole philosophy of muscle development, harnessing of qi (energy) to help people know and control their body.—
Jia H. Jung,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Ars Video Brains, brains, and more brains Because each arm of an octopus contains its own bundle of neurons, the limbs can operate semi-independently from the central brain, enabling faster responses since signals don’t always need to travel back and forth between the brain and the arms.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2025
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This newsletter contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Specific programs targeted for elimination include the Mars Sample Return mission, the currently operating Mars Odyssey and MAVEN missions around Mars, and several missions to Venus.—
Wendy Whitman Cobb,
The Conversation,
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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In addition to his new position as town marshal, Byrd will also be overseeing the move into a new police department.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
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Brady Fujikawa and Jon Humphrey oversee the film for Lionsgate, with Dan Freedman, Phil Strina, John Biondo and Matt Leonetti having negotiated the deal for the studio.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Govern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/govern. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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