as in rules
a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity
before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 ground rules
This may mean changing your mindset; this may mean family therapy; this may mean taking a firmer stance on ground rules for respect in the home, in conjunction with your husband.
—
R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
You’re allowed to set ground rules for all connections — even friendships.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Students created Instagram accounts with posts to share walking routes, protest times, last-minute changes and ground rules for the demonstrations, such as a prohibition on violence.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
This could be because the leader themselves is emotionally reactive and people are just parroting what is modeled, or because there are no ground rules for conversations and no consequences given for lashing out.
—Blair Glaser, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Instead, White suggests talking about things in advance and setting some ground rules.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Many of these groups, including Nallen Copley’s, have strict ground rules against pitching products and deals and gatekeep against vendors or brokers.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Are Hal and Kate planning to assess and adjust their expectations and ground rules at the six-month or one-year mark?
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Factionalism, doctrine, ground rules, justifications are, in Anderson’s film, irrelevant, meaning that French 75’s actions take place in an intellectual void.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
You’re allowed to set ground rules for all connections — even friendships.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Students created Instagram accounts with posts to share walking routes, protest times, last-minute changes and ground rules for the demonstrations, such as a prohibition on violence.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
This could be because the leader themselves is emotionally reactive and people are just parroting what is modeled, or because there are no ground rules for conversations and no consequences given for lashing out.
—Blair Glaser, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Instead, White suggests talking about things in advance and setting some ground rules.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Many of these groups, including Nallen Copley’s, have strict ground rules against pitching products and deals and gatekeep against vendors or brokers.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Are Hal and Kate planning to assess and adjust their expectations and ground rules at the six-month or one-year mark?
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Factionalism, doctrine, ground rules, justifications are, in Anderson’s film, irrelevant, meaning that French 75’s actions take place in an intellectual void.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground rules
Noun
-
Federal rules required that phone carriers be able to track the locations of phones for emergency services; Altman struck deals with carriers to tap these capabilities for the company’s use.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The rules are riddled with conditional exemptions that even experienced attorneys struggle to interpret.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The county changed its stance with new regulations in December that allowed ultralight access within certain guidelines, which pilots have claimed are overly-restrictive and cost-prohibitive for hobbyists who fly the relatively inexpensive aircraft.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Kelley makes a play for Göring’s trust by befriending his wife and daughter and carrying letters to them, against all regulations.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, some Idaho taxpayers can expect longer waits on refunds due to state tax conformity laws the Idaho Statesman previously reported.—
Hali Smith
April 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The mayor also says the city could need to stop enforcing laws against street camping and vehicle habitation if there are major cuts to city-run lots for people living in vehicles or tents.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because the feudal courts, chivalric codes, and aristocratic patronage that had sustained it were gone.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But more recently, particularly in the past decade, a tension has both emerged and persisted, as hinted at by the color-codes in the image above.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ground rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20rules. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
