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to rule over

to rule over

23 4.2
To be in charge of people or a place
  • phrasal verb
  • /ruːl ˈoʊvər/
translation icon : gobernar
  • So the idea is that the king is here represented, ruling over a united Egypt.
  • rule over men
  • rule over his own

The, the, the guys who are ruling over us.

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Examples

Synonyms

to control
vsto rule over
2.4

To have power over people, things, or situations

focuses specifically on having authority over persons, groups, or places
to rule
vsto rule over
607 1.0

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

expresses general control or power over people, groups, or places
to command
vsto rule over
307 2.7

To give orders and control people or things

describes overall power rather than the act of ordering others
to take control
vsto rule over
227 3.5

Start to have power and make decisions about something

describes an existing state of authority rather than the act of seizing it
to dictate
vsto rule over
181 5.0

To give orders that control what other people do

refers to holding power broadly, not only to order others
to govern
vsto rule over
171 2.9

To rule a country using law or force

covers general control not limited to formal or legal settings
to subject
vsto rule over
62 7.7

To bring a person or group under the control of another

refers to holding authority rather than the act of subjugating others
to dominate
vsto rule over
48 3.7

To rise above a place and be clearly visible from around it

means general authority without implying a physical or positional advantage
to hold sway
vsto rule over
9 6.6

To have power over people or situations

implies direct authority rather than influence or persuasive power
to lord over
vsto rule over
  • Informal
8 7.5

To treat other people as if you are better than them

denotes general authority without the insulting or arrogant attitude
to lord it over
vsto rule over
  • Informal
6 8.2

Act as if you are better than other people

describes authority without the boastful or humiliating behaviour
to rule the roost
vsto rule over
  • Informal
3 6.3

To be in control of a group and make important decisions

is broader, applying to control in many formal or informal contexts

How Powerful

to subjugate
  • Formal
21 9.2
to dominate
275 3.7
to rule over
23 4.2
to govern
171 2.9
influence
806 2.3

Surface Forms

rule over infinitive
ruled over past
ruled over past participle
ruling over present participle
rules over third person singular

Morphology

rule + over

The meaning 'to have control or authority over' is directly and predictably derived from combining 'rule' (to have sovereign power) with 'over' (marking the domain or target of that power). This verb + preposition composition follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern indicating the scope of authority, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Rule over makes us imagine a ruler (rule) standing above people or land (over) and giving orders. That's why rule over means 'to have control or authority'.