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Definitions

govern

[guhv-ern] / ˈgʌv ərn /
VERB
take control; rule
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administer carry out conduct control dictate guide manage oversee regulate supervise
STRONG
captain command direct execute head lead order overrule pilot reign render run steer superintend sway tyrannize
WEAK
assume command be in power be in the driver's seat call the shots call the signals exercise authority head up hold dominion hold office hold sway lay down the law occupy throne pull the strings serve the people wear the crown
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon leave mismanage neglect
STRONG
fail follow obey serve
WEAK
acquiesce agree allow comply consent give way permit surrender yield
VERB
influence; hold in check
Synonyms
STRONGEST
control curb decide determine dominate guide handle inhibit manage regulate rule
STRONG
boss bridle check contain direct discipline dispose incline predispose restrain shepherd steer subdue sway tame underlie
WEAK
directionalize get the better of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon aid assist help hesitate mismanage neglect submit
STRONG
liberate release
WEAK
acquiesce agree allow comply consent give way obey permit surrender yield

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Reports of new U.S. rules to govern artificial-intelligence processor exports won’t help change that.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

States have exclusive authority to govern and administer state and local elections.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Both state and federal safeguards already exist to govern data use and prevent pricing coordination, making local ordinances targeting software redundant and potentially counterproductive.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Federal law is entirely silent on this; the only federal statutes that govern the receipt of mail ballots explicitly defer to states’ decisions about deadlines.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2026

Examples include the rules that govern punctuation, complex forms of agreement, and fine semantic distinctions between uncommon words like militate and mitigate and credible and credulous.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.