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 September 2025, however, the lender filed a new notice of default that governs the current foreclosure efforts.
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George Avalos, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
No federal regulatory body governs the health information provided to AI chatbots, and ChatGPT provides technology services that are not within the scope of HIPAA.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
But Huddleston disagreed, saying the charter governs spending money but doesn’t apply to merely appropriating it.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
This is especially significant to consider early in the year when Saturn and Neptune join forces in Aries, activating a part of your chart that governs intimacy, trust and emotional merging.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Who governs in the immediate aftermath?
—Cristina Guevara, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The agency is working with the North Texas Commission, North Central Texas Council of Governments and directly with cities toward solutions, leaders said, including changing state legislation that governs DART.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
The court also criticized DWR for bypassing a more appropriate statute that governs the creation of new State Water Project units but requires additional public and legislative oversight.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, both sides will continue pretrial work under the Classified Information Procedures Act, which governs how classified evidence is handled.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for governs
Verb
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The sector may face another twist if the US Supreme Court rules Trump’s tariffs were issued illegally, a decision that could come as soon as Friday.—
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If the Supreme Court rules that Trump’s new tariffs are unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the court could then say that companies that have paid the duties so far are entitled to refunds.—
Verb
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According to Spark Biomedical, this stimulation regulates the nervous system and influences blood flow.—
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The commission regulates taxi rates, towing companies and aspects of ride-share companies, such as licensing, permits and safety requirements.—
Verb
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The spa Asian—specifically, Balinese—influences are again evident in the decor, massage techniques, and ingredients used at the 30,000-square-foot Mandara Spa, the Atlantis location of the beloved wellness brand that operates at resorts around the world and on Norwegian Cruise Line sailings.—
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Standing against them is notorious kingpin Bada Chaudhary (Sharad Kelkar), whose syndicate operates through layers of deceit through corridors in Saudi Arabia, Ethopia, Italy, Thailand and the UK.—
Verb
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Use Paint to Refresh Cracked Wood Start by cleaning the wood with hot, soapy water that contains a degreasing agent.—
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DeFi advocates also want to ensure the market structure bill contains language allowing individuals to self-custody their crypto.—
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.—
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The assistant chief directly supervises section commanders, providing leadership, mentorship and guidance.—
Verb
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The state Department of Education controls public education, under the leadership of the governor and the Legislature.—
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The situation is not all that different from that along the Mississippi, Missouri or Tennessee rivers, where a series of dams controls water flow.—
Verb
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As chief engineering officer, Eric Lefebvre sets and oversees technology strategy for Jaggaer.—
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The committee, which is made up of three white members, three Black members, three Hispanic members and two Asian members, also oversees efforts to recruit more minority teachers and solicit scholarships for minority students.—
Verb
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Utopia Bedding Quilted Comforter This Utopia Bedding comforter keeps my bed looking super fluffy and cloud-like and gives my bedroom an expensive look.—
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Leave it to one of the best luggage brands to come out with a revolutionary zipper that is three times stronger than a traditional zipper, as well as an anti-microbial lining that keeps odor-causing bacteria from thriving.—
Cite this Entry
“Governs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governs. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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