rule 1 of 2

noun

ˈrül How to pronounce rule (audio)
Definition of rulenext
1
as in regulation
a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity read the rules that are posted before you use the pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in government
lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation) the years during which Russia was under Communist rule

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3
as in tradition
an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing one of the sacred rules of that ancient society was respect for the elderly

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rule

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to govern
to exercise authority or power over a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly

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2
as in to control
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) a monarch who is known for ruling her emotions with an iron hand

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rule distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of rule are canon, law, ordinance, precept, regulation, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When might canon be a better fit than rule?

In some situations, the words canon and rule are roughly equivalent. However, canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When is law a more appropriate choice than rule?

While the synonyms law and rule are close in meaning, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When is it sensible to use ordinance instead of rule?

While in some cases nearly identical to rule, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

Where would precept be a reasonable alternative to rule?

The meanings of precept and rule largely overlap; however, precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

In what contexts can regulation take the place of rule?

The words regulation and rule are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When would statute be a good substitute for rule?

The words statute and rule can be used in similar contexts, but statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

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 rule
Noun
The complaint contends that the email constitutes a rule, and that the Office of Personnel Management failed to comply with rulemaking procedures, including providing a notice and comment period as required under the Administrative Procedure Act. —Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 1 Mar. 2025 The future, white-haired version of himself - calling himself the Maestro - viciously rules over what little is left of humanity. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
When the high court ruled against specific racial quotas, many defenders of such policies mourned the beginning of the end for civil rights reforms. —Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025 The bill is a response to a summer Supreme Court decision that ruled in an Oregon case that towns can pass and enforce ordinances that prevent people from sleeping outside. —Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule
  1. regulation
  2. government
  3. tradition
  4. govern
  5. control
  6. law
  7. administration
  8. regulate
Noun
  • Government funding and regulation have yielded countless economic benefits for the public, including the launch of many efforts later capitalized on by the private sector.
    — Joseph P. Tomain, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Last year’s argument that regulation of generative AI should rest with Congress and, perhaps, the Federal Trade Commission and other watchdog agencies has all but disappeared with the election of President Donald J. Trump and his reliance on tech billionaire Elon Musk to defang federal regulators.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of regulation
Noun
  • Eyewitnesses have accused government supporters of carrying out execution-style killings and video footage has emerged of mass graves.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
  • He's also uprooted what the GOP has long decried as social engineering by liberals, reflected recently by programs known as DEI (for diversity, equity and inclusion) − now banned in the federal government.
    — Susan Page, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of government
Noun
  • The stodgy tradition, after all, allowed committee chairmen, usually southern Democratic (and segregationist) House members, to hold those coveted positions for decades.
    — David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Inspired by the intricacy of Black hair artistry, her look felt like an ode to tradition and innovation, seamlessly blending bold structure with fluid motion.
    — Larry Stansbury, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of tradition
Verb
  • Representatives from the five national governing bodies (NGBs) will convene at least every two weeks.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • There’s no national governing body for swim instructors.
    — The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of govern
Verb
  • By the end of the 1970s, Mr. Coffee controlled fully half of the American coffee maker market.
    — Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Access to such information is tightly controlled, said Jeffrey Vagle, a law professor and cybersecurity expert at Georgia State University who has in the past worked on classified federal technology projects.
    — DAVID KLEPPER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of control
Noun
  • Keep up with changing data privacy laws that offer consumer protections.
    — Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The office did not answer questions about whether any correspondence had been deleted, or how that would comply with public records laws and the city’s records retention policy.
    — Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of law
Noun
  • Additionally, the new Trump administration may pursue caps on Medicaid recipient expenditures as outlined in the Project 2025 manifesto published by The Heritage Foundation.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Shuttered programs leave millions of people without care access DAKAR, Senegal -- Countries around the world already are feeling the impact of the Trump administration's decision to eliminate more than 90% of foreign aid contracts and cut some $60 billion in funding.
    — SAM MEDNICK, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of administration
Verb
  • Colleagues in a healthy workplace regulate what’s acceptable and what grates with thousands of social cues that most don’t consciously register.
    — Anna Jankowska, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Blood samples were taken to measure cytokines and chemokines, signaling proteins that help regulate inflammation and immune activity, and monocytes, white blood cells that help fight infection and heal damage.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of regulate

Phrases Containing rule

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Cite this Entry

“Rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rule. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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