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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Kim had ordered the destroyer to be restored before the late June plenary session of the ruling Workers’ Party, calling the matter one of national honor.—
Mike Valerio,
CNN Money,
26 May 2025
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The ruling party controls 19 governorships and more than 90% of the National Assembly seats.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
Verb
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This process helps us self-audit, regulate our practices and identify areas for improvement.—
Geoff Scott,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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Carr has pushed companies regulated by the FCC to do the same, resulting in Verizon and T-Mobile dropping DEI programs in order to secure approval for mergers that required the FCC's sign-off.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2025
Verb
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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
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Meanwhile, a close friend—formerly —serves as the operating partner, managing the day-to-day logistics.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Cardinale and his team have long chased the Telegraph, but an earlier an earlier attempt to buy it through All3Media owner RedBird IMI, which is majority controlled out of the Middle East, was blocked by the Conservative Party.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
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In 1950, the wall was reconstructed to control erosion and create artificial beaches.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Choose products with humectants: When looking for products to maintain your hair's moisture, select those that contain humectants, which are substances that attract and hold water to hydrate the hair.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
26 May 2025
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But decades of poor water management, which have dried up lakes, rivers, and wetlands that once helped contain these storms, have turned sand and dust storms into a pressing challenge for the region, with many consequences.—
Sanam Mahoozi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Law enforcement doesn’t operate this way, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Wayne Ford,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Even with the extra funds, Taiwan faces bottlenecks in buying the right weapons and keeping enough troops with the skills to operate them.—
Amy Chang Chien,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Cruising Altitude: Air traffic control keeps planes moving.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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London kept control of the archipelago and renamed it as the British Indian Ocean Territory.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Since the election, the Trump administration has overseen a deportation plan with far greater reach to include student visa holders and immigrants in the U.S. on Temporary Protected Status.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
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 4 Jun. 2025.
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