rule over

VERB

subjugate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conquer enslave

STRONG

coerce compel crush enthrall force overcome overthrow quell reduce rule subdue suppress tame triumph vanquish

WEAK

bear down beat down bring to heel bring to knees hold sway keep under thumb kick around put down reel back in

Antonyms

STRONG

encourage fail give in let go lose release surrender win yield

WEAK

free liberate

VERB

sway

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dominate impress inspire overrule persuade

STRONG

bias brainwash carry conduct control crack direct dispose get govern guide hook incline induce manage move predispose reign rule sell strike touch

WEAK

hold sway over impact on lead by the nose prevail on put across soften up suck in turn one's head twist one's arm win over work on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discourage dissuade

STRONG

misguide mislead neglect serve

WEAK

leave alone

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.

Throughout Reconstruction, Black Americans fought for what the 1869 National Convention of Colored Men deemed a “cardinal idea” of republicanism: “The people shall have a voice as to who shall rule over them.”

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

Altman has fired back on social media, contending Musk's agenda is to rule over the most powerful AI.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

IS - also known as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2026

Though British rule over his home country of Jamaica ended in 1962, independence and economic mismanagement led to high unemployment and a foundering youth culture.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

As owners of land, the Ulster Scots could think of themselves as wealthy, as having their own kingdoms to rule over.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

rule over

Example Sentences

Related Words