governs

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.

Under federal tax-exempt organization law, he said, the “private benefit doctrine” governs whether a nonprofit’s overall activities unduly benefit any single individual — including through indirect payments to entities they own.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

Commodities law, which governs prediction markets, also bars deceptive and misleading practices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

The vote-counting process that governs California elections is transparent to anyone who wants to understand it.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026

Quantum mechanics governs nature at the smallest scales such as particles, while Einstein’s theory of general relativity applies to gravity and spacetime.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Chris’s seemingly anomalous political positions were perhaps best summed up by Thoreau’s declaration in “Civil Disobedience": "I heartily accept the motto—‘That government is best which governs least.’

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer