governs

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take control; rule v.
influence; hold in check v.

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.

See Examples For:

governs

An independent Charter Reform Commission recommended changes to improve the way the city governs itself, but it was ultimately the City Council that approved placing measures on the ballot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

No federal law specifically governs these models in the United States.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

Barrera, 59, is the president of the San Diego Unified Board of Education, which governs the state’s second-largest school system with about 113,000 students.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Officials in Yamanashi and neighbouring Shizuoka prefecture, which governs the southern part of Fuji, have seen a rise in off-season and unplanned climbs, some of which have left climbers stranded.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

It governs the behavior of transistors and integrated circuits, which are the essential components of electronic devices such as televisions and computers, and is also the basis of modern chemistry and biology.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking