rule of law
noun phrase
: a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed by everyone
The courts uphold the rule of law.
Examples of rule of law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Allowing the president to dictate what lawsuits are filed or what clients are represented undermines the rule of law and threatens the independence of our judiciary.
—
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Advancing the Rule of Law The second principle is that antitrust law enforcement should adhere to the rule of law and respect binding precedent and the original meaning of the statutory text.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Richard Painter, who served as a White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, criticized Trump's attacks on law firms as an affront to the rule of law.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
In both rhetoric and action, Donald Trump had undermined the rule of law, global security, civil rights, science, and the distinction between fact and its opposite.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025
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Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Advancing the Rule of Law The second principle is that antitrust law enforcement should adhere to the rule of law and respect binding precedent and the original meaning of the statutory text.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Richard Painter, who served as a White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, criticized Trump's attacks on law firms as an affront to the rule of law.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
In both rhetoric and action, Donald Trump had undermined the rule of law, global security, civil rights, science, and the distinction between fact and its opposite.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rule of law
Cite this Entry
“Rule of law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20law. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
rule of law
1
: an authoritative legal doctrine, principle, or precept applied to the facts of an appropriate case
adopting the rule of law that is most persuasive in light of precedent, reason and policy—Wright v. Wright, 904 P.2d 403 (1995)
Wright v. Wright, 904 P.2d 403 (1995)2
: government by law : adherence to due process of law
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