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
In astrology, Mercury governs the mind and communication, while Saturn represents boundaries, discipline and the lessons that come with experience.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The ordinance that governs this is 79-11, which says placing leaves out in the street per the city's guidelines isn't prohibited during the collection period.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump's peace deal, whatever its other merits or flaws, failed to address the fundamental question of who governs Gaza and how order will be maintained.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
The plan calls for the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, to take control of Gaza after making a number of reforms.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2025
Stoughton says, referring to the law that governs searches and seizures, which also protects against excessive force.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Their work paved the way for real world applications of quantum mechanics, which governs the way the world works at the smallest, subatomic scales and distances, said Jonathan Bagger, a particle physicist and CEO of the American Physical Society.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
The plan also provides that Hamas, which currently governs Gaza, would not have any role in governing in the future.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025
Prince William is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, which governs the game in Wales, while Princess Kate supports Rugby Football Union, its counterpart in England.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The ordinance that governs this is 79-11, which says placing leaves out in the street per the city's guidelines isn't prohibited during the collection period.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump's peace deal, whatever its other merits or flaws, failed to address the fundamental question of who governs Gaza and how order will be maintained.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
The plan calls for the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, to take control of Gaza after making a number of reforms.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2025
Stoughton says, referring to the law that governs searches and seizures, which also protects against excessive force.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Their work paved the way for real world applications of quantum mechanics, which governs the way the world works at the smallest, subatomic scales and distances, said Jonathan Bagger, a particle physicist and CEO of the American Physical Society.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
The plan also provides that Hamas, which currently governs Gaza, would not have any role in governing in the future.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2025
Prince William is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, which governs the game in Wales, while Princess Kate supports Rugby Football Union, its counterpart in England.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs
Verb
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Just last season, he was suspended for three games after a hit to the head of Jacksonville Jaguars passer Trevor Lawrence, prompting a public reprimand from the NFL policy and rules administration.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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But only one inspection involved an English language rules violation that resulted in a driver being taken out of service.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Today, the Coco de Mer is so revered that the government regulates it like a cultural treasure.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
22 Oct. 2025
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The Federal Railroad Administration regulates the operation of the gate.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Under the new structure, OpenAI’s for-profit arm operates as the OpenAI Group Public Benefit Corporation but remains under the control of its nonprofit foundation.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
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Food insecurity is also a looming problem, said Paco Vélez, chief executive of Feeding South Florida, which operates food pantries, including 24 at South Florida schools, in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.—
Mimi Whitefield,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Project Cloud Nita Platform Sneakers The Nita has a platform that lifts you about two inches and contains a cushiony memory foam insole for your heels to sink into.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Angela has the nation’s largest indigenous seed bank, which contains hundreds, if not over a thousand, different seeds that have been donated by people.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sebastio supervises retail, finance and an in-house team of three designers for product consistency, as the brand was first inspired by his own and his father’s wardrobe.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
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The assistant chief directly supervises section commanders, providing leadership, mentorship and guidance.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement The vote could therefore play a key role in deciding who controls the House after the midterms.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
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China controls about 70 percent of rare earth mining and 90 percent of separation and processing.—
Young Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Edward Glazer is the co-chairman of the Bucs and oversees real estate acquisitions for the family company, First Allied Corporation, according to Forbes.—
Melanie Hicken,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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The additions came about following proposals that were made to the organization’s board of governors’ Equity and Inclusion Committee — which oversees all of the Affinity Groups, and which is currently chaired by the actor Lou Diamond Phillips — and ultimately approved by the full board.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By refusing to specify details of the case, the government keeps the possibility alive of changing their reasoning or their claims to have the same effect for different reasons—just as the mob changes its reasoning for killing Cinna.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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The 61-year-old loves the hunt, and sifting through old belongings and hidden gems is what keeps him going.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Governs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governs. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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