Antonyms for govern
| Grammar : Verb |
| Spell : guhv-ern |
| Phonetic Transcription : ˈgʌv ərn |
Definition of govern
Origin :- late 13c., from Old French governer (11c., Modern French gouverner) "govern," from Latin gubernare "to direct, rule, guide, govern" (cf. Spanish gobernar, Italian governare), originally "to steer," a nautical borrowing from Greek kybernan "to steer or pilot a ship, direct" (the root of cybernetics). The -k- to -g- sound shift is perhaps via the medium of Etruscan. Related: Governed; governing.
- verb take control; rule
- verb influence; hold in check
- Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him?
- Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
- For, Madam, could I be supposed to govern the passions of either of the gentlemen?
- Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
- It was composed of the grim psychological laws that govern the abnormal.
- Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
- It is too apt to govern itself by what a bold spirit is encouraged to expect of it.
- Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
- You know that I am sensitive and brave, and that it is my character to govern.
- Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
- But that is but the vision of a second; my mind has been thinking of the soul that is to govern this personage.
- Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt
- I should govern him as I pleased, he solemnly assured me, in every thing.
- Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
- A woman must persuade men by gentleness—not govern them by force.
- Extract from : « The Coryston Family » by Mrs. Humphry Ward
- How differently did the Romans and the Greeks govern themselves?
- Extract from : « Introductory American History » by Henry Eldridge Bourne
- We'll see whether boys are to govern men, or men are to govern boys.'
- Extract from : « Barnaby Rudge » by Charles Dickens
Synonyms for govern
- administer
- assume command
- be in power
- be in the driver's seat
- boss
- bridle
- call the shots
- call the signals
- captain
- carry out
- check
- command
- conduct
- contain
- control
- curb
- decide
- determine
- dictate
- direct
- directionalize
- discipline
- dispose
- dominate
- execute
- exercise authority
- get the better of
- guide
- handle
- head
- head up
- hold dominion
- hold office
- hold sway
- incline
- inhibit
- lay down the law
- lead
- manage
- occupy throne
- order
- overrule
- oversee
- pilot
- predispose
- pull the strings
- regulate
- reign
- render
- restrain
- rule
- run
- serve the people
- shepherd
- steer
- subdue
- superintend
- supervise
- sway
- tame
- tyrannize
- underlie
- wear the crown
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019