Rule — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈrül/

Meaning & Definition of Rule

Rule (noun)

  1. a prescribed guide for conduct or action
  2. the laws or regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for observance by its members
  3. an accepted procedure, custom, or habit

Rule (verb)

  1. to exert control, direction, or influence on
  2. to exercise control over especially by curbing or restraining
  3. to exercise authority or power over often harshly or arbitrarily

Rule (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity

    "read the rules that are posted before you use the pool"

    similar: bylaw, ground rule, reg, regulation
    related: code, constitution, decalogue, directory, act, law, ordinance, statute, behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order, axiom, fundamental, maxim, precept, moral, principle, value, ban, interdiction, prohibition, proscription, restriction, convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice, tradition, way, blueprint, canon, formula, guide, guideline, standard

  2. lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation)

    "the years during which Russia was under Communist rule"

    similar: administration, authority, governance, government, jurisdiction, regime, regimen
    related: reign, dominion, power, sovereignty, supremacy, sway, command, leadership, direction, management, regulation, superintendence, supervision, autocracy, dictatorship, domination, hegemony, mastery, oppression, subjugation, tyranny

  3. an inherited or established way of thinking, feeling, or doing

    "one of the sacred rules of that ancient society was respect for the elderly"

    similar: convention, custom, heritage, prescription, rubric, tradition
    related: ethic, form, mode, mores, norm, principles, standards, values, birthright, inheritance, legacy, folklore, lore, superstition, culture, lifestyle

Rule (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to exercise authority or power over

    "a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly"

    similar: boss, captain, command, control, govern, preside (over), sway (archaic)
    related: conduct, direct, head, lead, administer, manage, micromanage, oversee, regulate, superintend, supervise, dictate, dominate, domineer, lord (it over), master, oppress, reign (over), tyrannize, conquer, subdue, subjugate

  2. 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"

    similar: bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame
    related: bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow, arrest, interrupt, stop, block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct, gag, muzzle, silence
    opposite: lose
    near: liberate, loose, loosen, unleash, air, express, take out, vent

Related Entry: Rule (on) (verb)

Rule (on) is a different word from Rule. The synonyms below are for rule (on), not for rule.

  1. to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)

    "the coach ruled on the question of whether an off-campus bar fight ought to disqualify someone from the team"

    similar: adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, decide, determine, judge, referee, settle, umpire
    related: consider, deem, deliberate, hear, ponder, weigh, size up, mediate, moderate, negotiate, prosecute, try, find (for or against), conclude, resolve, redetermine, rejudge
    near: equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, skirt

Related Entry: Rule out (verb)

Rule out is a different word from Rule. The synonyms below are for rule out, not for rule.

  1. to prevent the participation, consideration, or inclusion of

    "another loss would rule them out of the tournament"

    similar: ban, bar, close out, count (out), debar, eliminate, except, exclude, freeze out, shut out, close one's doors to
    related: blackball, blacklist, excommunicate, ostracize, banish, deport, exile, expel, oust, throw out, obviate, preclude, prevent, prohibit, block, hinder, impede, obstruct, cease, discontinue, halt, suspend, deter, stave off, ward (off), check off, disregard, comb (out), weed (out)
    opposite: admit, include
    near: accept, embrace, entertain, receive, take in, welcome, unban

Related Entry: Ground rule (noun)

Ground rule is a different word from Rule. The synonyms below are for ground rule, not for rule.

  1. a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity

    "before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules"

    similar: bylaw, reg, regulation, rule
    related: code, constitution, decalogue, directory, act, law, ordinance, statute, behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order, axiom, fundamental, maxim, precept, moral, principle, value, ban, interdiction, prohibition, proscription, restriction, convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice, tradition, way, blueprint, canon, formula, guide, guideline, standard

Related Entry: Self-rule (noun)

Self-rule is a different word from Rule. The synonyms below are for self-rule, not for rule.

  1. government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation

    "the newly created United States opted for self-rule rather than monarchy"

    similar: democracy, republic, self-government
    related: pure democracy, home rule, self-determination, autonomy, sovereignty
    near: despotism, dictatorship, monarchy, monocracy, totalitarianism, tyranny

Related Entry: As a rule (phrase)

As a rule is a different word from Rule. The synonyms below are for as a rule, not for rule.

  1. according to the usual course of things

    "As a rule, we don't allow people to take seconds until everyone has initially been served."

    similar: commonly, generally, natch (slang), naturally, normally, ordinarily, typically, usually, needless to say, of course, on the whole
    related: customarily, habitually, regularly, routinely, familiarly, conventionally, traditionally
    opposite: abnormally, atypically, extraordinarily, uncommonly, untypically, unusually
    near: funnily, oddly, peculiarly, queerly, strangely, weirdly, anomalously, irregularly, radically

Related Entry: Home rule (noun)

Home rule is a different word from Rule. The synonyms below are for home rule, not for rule.

  1. as in self-determination

    similar: self-determination, pure democracy, autonomy, sovereignty, democracy, republic, self-government, self-rule
    opposite: despotism, dictatorship, monarchy, monocracy, totalitarianism, tyranny

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Rule

The most common words with a similar meaning to Rule:

Archaic: sway
bylaw, ground rule, reg, regulation, administration, authority, governance, government, jurisdiction, regime, regimen, convention, custom, heritage, prescription, rubric, tradition, boss, captain, command, control, govern, preside (over), bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Rule

Words with the opposite meaning of Rule:

lose

Related Words for Rule

code, constitution, decalogue, directory, act, law, ordinance, statute, behest, charge, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order, axiom, fundamental, maxim, precept, moral, principle, value, ban, interdiction, prohibition, proscription

Near Antonyms of Rule

liberate, loose, loosen, unleash, air, express, take out, vent

Word Forms of Rule

Inflections: ruled, ruling

Origin & Etymology of Rule

Middle English reule, from Anglo-French, from Latin regula straightedge, rule, from regere to keep straight, direct right

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Rule

Words & Phrases Containing Rule

rule of the road, rule of thumb, rule out, rule the roost, rule book, rule of law, rule out of, rule with an iron fist/hand

Frequently Asked Questions about Rule

What does "Rule" mean?

"Rule" means a prescribed guide for conduct or action. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a prescribed guide for conduct or action. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Rule"?

Other words for "Rule" include bylaw, ground rule, reg, regulation, administration, authority, governance and government. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Rule" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Rule"?

There are 158 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Rule". Common alternatives include bylaw, ground rule, reg, regulation, administration, authority, governance, government, jurisdiction and regime.

What is the opposite of "Rule"?

Antonyms of "Rule" include lose. Near antonyms include liberate, loose, loosen and unleash.

How do you use "Rule" in a sentence?

Examples of "Rule" in a sentence: "read the rules that are posted before you use the pool"; "the years during which Russia was under Communist rule"; "one of the sacred rules of that ancient society was respect for the elderly".

Is "Rule" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Rule" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Rule" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Rule" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Rule"?

"Rule" is pronounced /ˈrül/.