RULE Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'rule' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of rule are canon , law , ordinance , precept , regulation , and statute . While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," rule applies to more restricted or specific situations. // the rules of the game

Q: When might 'canon' be a better fit than 'rule'?

In some situations, the words canon and rule are roughly equivalent. However, canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide. // the canons of good taste

Q: When is 'law' a more appropriate choice than 'rule'?

While the synonyms law and rule are close in meaning, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority. // obey the law

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ordinance' instead of 'rule'?

While in some cases nearly identical to rule , ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality. // a city ordinance

Q: Where would 'precept' be a reasonable alternative to 'rule'?

The meanings of precept and rule largely overlap; however, precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching. // the precepts of effective writing

Q: In what contexts can 'regulation' take the place of 'rule'?

The words regulation and rule are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system. // regulations affecting nuclear power plants

Q: When would 'statute' be a good substitute for 'rule'?

The words statute and rule can be used in similar contexts, but statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body. // a statute requiring the use of seat belts

rule 1 of 2

noun

ˈrül

Definition of rule

as in regulation

a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity read the rules that are posted before you use the pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in government

lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation) the years during which Russia was under Communist rule

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in tradition

an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing one of the sacred rules of that ancient society was respect for the elderly

Synonyms & Similar Words

rule

2 of 2

verb

as in to govern

to exercise authority or power over a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to control

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) a monarch who is known for ruling her emotions with an iron hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rule distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of rule are canon, law, ordinance, precept, regulation, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When might canon be a better fit than rule?

In some situations, the words canon and rule are roughly equivalent. However, canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When is law a more appropriate choice than rule?

While the synonyms law and rule are close in meaning, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When is it sensible to use ordinance instead of rule?

While in some cases nearly identical to rule, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

Where would precept be a reasonable alternative to rule?

The meanings of precept and rule largely overlap; however, precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

In what contexts can regulation take the place of rule?

The words regulation and rule are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When would statute be a good substitute for rule?

The words statute and rule can be used in similar contexts, but statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rule

Noun

In the past week, in the wake of the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule that excluded last year's graduating class from that extra year, the Big Ten and SEC passed rules barring players from returning after leaving for the pros. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 The uptick rule forbade a short seller from knocking a stock down by endlessly selling it no matter what. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026

Verb

The judge ruled that Michael and Leah would share custody of the children. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Council is hoping it is ruled that his two seasons of junior college basketball should not count toward his NCAA eligibility. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rule

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule

Noun

In June, Newcastle were fined €6m and entered into a stringent agreement with UEFA after breaching their regulations.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Six Flags Magic Mountain insists that X2 is regularly tested and meets industry safety regulations.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of regulation

Noun

Adding insult to injury, the defections came even as GOP hard-liners were ready to paralyze the House over an unrelated dispute with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) on funding the government.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
In a footnote to his dissent, Roberts wrote that the underground work on the project – which lower courts had allowed to proceed – addressed the government’s security concerns.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of government

Verb

William Roberson Polaris’ Ride Command system governs the crisp 7-inch center touchscreen display (above), which features Apple CarPlay and full GPS operability.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
One of Burning Man’s ten governing principles is radical self-expression, and the clothes complied.

— Henry Alford, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of govern

Verb

During an operation, a surgeon controls robotic arms fitted with small instruments while viewing the surgical area through a three-dimensional vision system.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Japanese doctors have advised patients reporting rashes or difficulty controlling bowels after frequent use to stop until symptoms clear, per the AP.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

Noun

Bonta, New York's Attorney General Letitia James, and 14 other state attorneys filed a lawsuit against TikTok in 2024 for violating consumer protection laws.

— Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Courts in Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere aren’t bound by 10th Circuit precedent and can reach different or even opposite decisions on the exact same questions of law.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of law

Noun

Russian strikes in the Kyiv region damaged 14 warehouses, 16 private houses, three apartment buildings and 16 vehicles, Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv regional military administration, said Friday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
The ruling marks a victory for Anthropic in its monthslong legal battle against the administration over its push to impose guardrails on its powerful AI model Claude, which is used by the military.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of administration

Noun

Call it Comer 2035, a vision separate from the system’s broader Elevate 2035 plan that would articulate Comer’s pediatric-specific values and commitments.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Two common ones include beliefs about whether someone will listen and share information and whether someone shares your values.

— John C. Besley, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of values

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ruins

rule

ruled

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“Rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rule. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rule

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Synonyms of rule

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing rule

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Cite this Entry

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