to govern

Examples

• All

• They need to limit, govern and guide what their kids are doing.

• What are the values that govern the future of the world?

  Academic text (2013)

• Well, I think it does govern our personal actions.

• The people you want to allow to govern themselves.

  Mayerling (1968)

• We are not bound by them; they do not govern what is to be.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Perhaps you, too, should learn to govern your emotions, Doctor.

  Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

• People are not governed by what happened to them in the past.

  The Music Lovers (1971)

• I govern my life around my own personal code of ethics, and I suggest you do the same.

  Waiting... (2005)

• And it was that belief that governed what I said in the House.

• As we discuss below, descriptive norms can play an important role in governing people's behaviors.

  Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

C

to control

vsto govern

∞ 2.4

To have power over people, things, or situations

can also mean strong influence rather than only direct power

R

to rule

vsto govern

309 1.0

To be the leader of a country or group and control it

is broader and includes directing behaviour not only exercising authority

D

to dictate

vsto govern

215 5.0

To give orders that control what other people do

can instead include guiding or influencing without issuing orders

R

to regulate

vsto govern

209 3.4

To control something using rules or laws

is more general, covering influence beyond formal rule based control

R

to rule over

vsto govern

24 4.2

To be in charge of people or a place

focuses on overall leadership rather than specific direction or influence

Antonyms

L

to liberate

202 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

How Influential

to control

∞ 2.4

to govern

42 3.2

to determine

208 3.1

influence

783 2.3

to shape

326 3.4

Surface Forms

Etymology