1
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
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in operates
to look after and make decisions about
the company's finances are governed by its chief financial officer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of governs
Many analysts and activists say this is the result of decades of Israeli policy aimed at sabotaging the two-state solution by building Jewish settlements on Palestinian land and undermining the Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the territory.
—
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Tribes, who hold about 20% of all senior water rights in the Colorado, were long left out of direct discussions, including the discussions leading to the 1922 Colorado River Compact that governs allocations to the seven basin states.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Last week, Anthropic was one of the few industry players to come out in favor of SB 53, a California state bill that governs powerful AI systems (like Claude).
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
She was viciously beaten after having been detained by an officer who accused her of not dressing appropriately in public, in defiance of the country’s hijab rule, which broadly governs what women should wear.
—Fatemeh Jamalpour, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Carlson pressed him on what moral framework governs those decisions.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Gravity governs not only our lives, but also the fate of the whole solar system and, by extension, the whole universe.
—Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025
His order cites Ohio law that governs criminal procedure.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2025
Kate is a patron of the Rugby Football Union in England, while William serves as the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, which governs the game in Wales.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Tribes, who hold about 20% of all senior water rights in the Colorado, were long left out of direct discussions, including the discussions leading to the 1922 Colorado River Compact that governs allocations to the seven basin states.
—Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Last week, Anthropic was one of the few industry players to come out in favor of SB 53, a California state bill that governs powerful AI systems (like Claude).
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 16 Sep. 2025
She was viciously beaten after having been detained by an officer who accused her of not dressing appropriately in public, in defiance of the country’s hijab rule, which broadly governs what women should wear.
—Fatemeh Jamalpour, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Carlson pressed him on what moral framework governs those decisions.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Gravity governs not only our lives, but also the fate of the whole solar system and, by extension, the whole universe.
—Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025
His order cites Ohio law that governs criminal procedure.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2025
Kate is a patron of the Rugby Football Union in England, while William serves as the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, which governs the game in Wales.
—Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs
Verb
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Through antitrust law, Pavia has thus far successfully challenged the application of NCAA eligibility rules to his eligibility.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The new rules delay the 2024 Biden administration rules that aimed to curb cancer-causing pollution from reaching neighborhoods near mills.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The anterior cingulate cortex regulates emotional responses to both experienced and observed pain, creating a powerful neurological circuit.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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But its shortcomings may not have been limited to the science, as a lawsuit alleges that its preparation violated a law that regulates the activities of federal advisory panels.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The company operates sprawling businesses across retail, cloud computing, advertising, and other areas.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The Russian government operates about half of the 210 total facilities, the report found.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The country club contains a golf course, a wedding venue and a restaurant.—
Jack Moore,
ABC News,
21 Sep. 2025
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The Armor of Aphrodite is a $16 drink with Yuzu vodka, elderflower liqueur, sloe gin, strawberry, pink peppercorn, lemon and egg whites (elderflower contains a high level of antioxidants).—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In this photo, mama, who liked posing for the camera, supervises her litter of kittens.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Cucinelli supervises the company’s image and communication, especially through social platforms, and has greatly contributed to reach out to the younger generations.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump has been able to enact his agenda because the GOP controls the White House and both chambers of Congress.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Sep. 2025
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The wealthy school’s students have some really empathetic reactions; many of these students have never heard of how the mafia controls the refugee journey and how much money is needed to get to a country of asylum.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The agency, which oversees London’s public transit system, faced a monthslong recovery effort as a result of the breach.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
19 Sep. 2025
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The commission oversees Experience Fayetteville, the city's tourism bureau.—
Grace Hurt,
Arkansas Online,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Inzone Mouse-A keeps things simple.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
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Loafers and sweaters pack easily and can dress up casual outfits, while blazers and scarves offer layering versatility that keeps you looking sharp from museums to evening dinners abroad.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Governs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governs. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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