EN

Synonyms for rule

  • noun
  • verb

Most common

law standard formula edict regulation principle policy ruler

Synonyms by meaning

Noun

1. Law

law, order, formula, standard, edict, maxim, criterion, dictate, practice US, practise UK, measure, test, command, ordinance, pattern, precept, normal, convention, canon, routine, direction, habit, touchstone

2. Principle — the act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control

principle, regulation, control, dominion, regime, authority, government, empire, ascendancy, power, domination, influence, supremacy, administration, upper hand, conduct, lead, predominance, sway, mastery, lordship, mastership

Other

ruler, policy, requirement, norm, man date informal, aphorism, dictation, prescript, brocard rare

Verb

1. Reign

reign, prevail, dominate, predominate, direct, preponderate rare

2. Slap — to excel

slay, shine, excel, slap slang, kick slang, kick butt slang, rock slang, bang slang

3. Rein

rein, harness

4. Decree

decree, decide, determine, hold, find

Other

govern, guide, head, regulate, manage, preside, domineer rare

Antonyms

exception, rarity, serve

All antonyms of rule →

Definitions

  1. n. 1

    The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.

  2. n. 2

    A regulation, law, guideline.

    All participants must adhere to the rules.

  3. v. 1

    To excel.

  4. v. 2

    To regulate, be in charge of, make decisions for, reign over.

Related words

Phrases
as a rule rule on rule out mob rule rule-of-thumb rule in fireman's rule em rule

Forms

Plural
rules → laws, orders, formulas, standards…
Past participle
ruled
e.g. ruled → reigned, prevailed, dominated, predominated…

Choose the right word

or Rule?

A rule is prescribed either by some external authority or by one's own will; as, it is the rule of the house; or, I make it my invariable rule.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

  • law It was foolish of him to trespass against the law.
  • standard There's a standard lamp in the corner of the room.
  • formula What's the chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide?
  • regulation This new regulation is wigscratchingly difficult.
  • principle My father made it a principle to keep early hours.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
rulesteady
lawsteady
standardsteady
formulafalling
edictsteady
regulationsteady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters
law1
4 letters
find1, head1, test1, lead1, hold1, rock1, kick1, bang1, slap1, norm1, sway1, slay1, rein1
5 letters
order2, power2, guide1, habit2, shine1, canon2, reign1, ruler2, excel2, maxim2, edict2
6 letters
policy3, normal2, direct2, decide2, empire3, manage2, regime2, decree2, govern2
7 letters
control2, measure2, command2, pattern2, formula3, conduct2, routine2, harness2, dictate2, mastery3, prevail2, preside2, precept2, brocard
8 letters
practice2, standard2, dominate3, regulate3, dominion3, practise2, lordship2, aphorism4, domineer3
9 letters
direction3, authority4, influence3, determine3, principle3, ordinance3, supremacy4, criterion4, dictation3, prescript
10 letters
government3, convention3, regulation4, domination4, touchstone2, ascendancy4, mastership
11 letters
requirement3, predominate4
12 letters
predominance4, preponderate
14 letters
administration5

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (order2 = 2 syllables).