1
as in ruling
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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Relevance
2
as in regulating
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 managing
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 governing
Smith maintained many of the gifts cited by Cannon fell under exceptions to the disclosure rules, including those governing charity event tickets and gifts for birthdays or holidays.
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Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Or at least the craziest until Malinin began doing on ice back flips during the 2024-25 season after the International Skating Union, the sport’s global governing body, lifted a ban on the stunt.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
The Oppermans in their claim against the HOA alleged that the HOA breached its governing documents and breached its fiduciary duties to the Oppermans.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
What is the current state of play with respect to the tax rules governing charitable giving?
—Ray Madoff, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Venezuela has strict laws governing foreign oil companies, requiring businesses to enter into public-private joint ventures that pay 30% royalty fees and a 60% income tax.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The resulting strike lasted three days, and led to historic contract provisions governing enforceable nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.
—Donovan Carey, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Taken together, the lawsuit alleges that the governing bodies of tennis deprive players and fans of the full benefits of competition, while locking the sport’s athletes into a system that is bad for their bodies and bank balances.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The Little Rock School District next week will seek approval from its governing board to begin the process to convert Hall West High School to a public charter school.
—Dmitry Martirosov, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for governing
Verb
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The officials were fooled, ruling it incomplete.—
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But two judges separately ordered the government to keep the money following, ruling last week that the administration could not skip November’s benefits entirely.—
Verb
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Silk is known to have great temperature-regulating qualities, so these will lock in the heat during the winter and keep you cool in the summer.—
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That’s because our oceans play a key role in regulating the impact of global carbon emissions in our atmosphere—absorbing about 90% of the excess heat from planetary warming trapped by greenhouse gases over the past century.—
Verb
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Her mother accompanied her to appointments, managing logistics and providing emotional support.—
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Tina Olson, a managing attorney with the Juvenile Lifer Unit in the State Appellate Defender Office, says the decision doesn't minimize the crimes committed – or the victims impacted – but instead ensures defendants are given fair punishments.—
Verb
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The farmers also pitched in with efforts of their own, including adjusting fertilizer methods, controlling soil erosion and increasing on-site water retention.—
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Other concerning behaviors may include constant messaging, controlling actions, name-calling, threats, or refusing to respect your boundaries.—
Verb
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This changed with the draining and containing of the Everglades and explosive growth and development that followed.—
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The changes saw Fielder do a much better job of containing Demirel, allowing the Broncos to fight back and take a 9-8 lead.—
Verb
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As lithium-ion batteries are increasingly deployed in electric vehicles, aviation, and energy systems operating in cold climates, their performance under sub-zero conditions has become a critical technological bottleneck.—
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The warning cited reports of armed groups operating on Venezuelan roads.—
Verb
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The idea of curbing Wall Street’s role in housing isn’t new.—
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Vaccinating children also helped protect pregnant women by curbing the spread of infection.—
Verb
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Marcano Tábata is widely identified by human rights groups as part of the command structure overseeing detention centers where political prisoners have been held, including facilities accused of systematic abuse and torture.—
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Calvello will serve as Mamdani’s chief government spokesperson, overseeing City Hall’s press office, with a portfolio focused on national issues, according to sources.—
Cite this Entry
“Governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governing. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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