Thesaurus results for GROUND RULES

ground rules

noun

plural of ground rule

as in rules

a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity before the debate begins, let's lay out some ground rules

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ground rules Hosts can set ground rules for maximum occupancy, quiet hours, and pets, as well as specify key return procedures and whether guests may hold events or host commercial photo shoots. — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 The White House and its allies are lonely in their insistence that AI development in America must accelerate without governments setting ground rules. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026 The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, did not elaborate. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026 Capital investment aside, even fundamental ground rules collapse under strain, Archer said. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026 Representatives of Bonta and Paramount Skydance came together late last week to set ground rules for Monday’s meeting, which was to involve Paramount Skydance Chief Executive David Ellison. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 Resident Nancy Clifton-Hawkins was an amazing moderator who quickly laid out the goals and ground rules. — Terri Daxon, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2026 Consider the 2012 General Agreement in Colombia, which established guidelines for future negotiations, an agenda, and ground rules that gave the talks structure and stability. — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026 To control the dangerous unfettered use of magic, an oversight council established ground rules on what is considered forbidden magic and the knowledge of its existence. — Kalai Chik, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground rules

Noun

All three said West Point appears to be circumventing the judge's ruling by using a different justification to continue to enforce its speech rules.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
This exploits a loophole in the government's fiscal rules, as money given to these institutions does not count as extra borrowing.

— Ian King, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rules

Noun

No new legislation or regulations are needed, just enforce the existing laws and rules and the hawkers will melt away.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
Food vendors, activists and organizers from the Food Chain Workers Alliance and Street Vendors Association of Chicago rally at the Haymarket Memorial to demand reforms to the city's restrictive street vending regulations, October 26 2026.

— Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulations

Noun

Some voting laws have changed in Ohio since 2022, including the state eliminating its grace period for receiving mail ballots, a change that forces voters to return those ballots earlier.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Different views on the topic The Justice Department says its actions are intended to enforce federal voting laws and protect citizens’ ballots from dilution.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of laws

Noun

While a 2015 ordinance legalized street vending in Chicago, strict public health codes effectively limited what vendors could do.

— Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Strong building codes, effective enforcement, stronger roofs, protected openings and sound roof-to-wall connections can interrupt the expensive cycle of destruction and reconstruction.

— Kevin M. McCarty, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of codes

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ground rule

ground rules

grounds

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“Ground rules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20rules. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ground rules

noun

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