Synonyms for govern
Definitions
- v. 1
To make and administer the public policy and affairs of; to exercise sovereign authority in.
The old king governed the land wisely.
- v. 2
To exercise political authority; to run a government.
Related words
- Word family
- governable governate governance governess government governor
Forms
- Past participle
- governed
e.g. governed → regulated, controlled, managed, conducted…
Choose the right word
Govern carries the idea of authoritative administration or some exercise of authority that is at once effective and continuous; control is effective, but may be momentary or occasional. The best teachers are not greatly prone to command, but govern or control their pupils largely by other means.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- influence Such magazines have a great influence on children.
- manage Tom took a class to learn how to manage his anger.
- conduct Everyone of us is responsible for his own conduct.
- regulate Cats lick themselves to regulate their temperature.
- rule There are cases where the rule does not hold good.
By length
- 4 letters
- rule1, curb1, sway1, rein1
- 5 letters
- order2, guide1, reign1, steer1
- 6 letters
- direct2, manage2, subdue2, stifle2
- 7 letters
- control2, command2, conduct2, inhibit3, preside2, repress2
- 8 letters
- regulate3, dominate3, suppress2, restrain2, overrule3
- 9 letters
- influence3, supervise3, collocate
- 10 letters
- discipline3, regularize, regularise
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (order2 = 2 syllables).