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
Now, the man who refused to accept his 2020 election loss is already seeking to delegitimize his conviction, attempting to assert the primacy of his raw political power over the nation’s rule of law.
—
William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Their unity and uniforms signaled an allegiance to one man over the rule of law.
—Barbara McQuade, TIME, 29 May 2024
The last thing the proponents of this story want is an impartial, honest judiciary committed to the rule of law.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 May 2024
Japan’s top envoy weighed in while visiting the U.S., saying Japan and Taiwan share values and principles, including freedom, democracy, basic rights, and rule of law.
—Christopher Bodeen, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 May 2024
The rule of law rather than the rule of Man (referring to kings and dictators) was the path chosen and defended, until now.
—Dean Minnich, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2024
And many within the Israeli government fought to expand the rule of law into the territories, with some success.
—Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024
What could be more abusive or obscene than unilaterally absolving the would-be insurrectionists, nearly 900 currently, who have been fairly prosecuted and sentenced according to the rule of law that a president is sworn to uphold?
—Jackie Calmes, The Mercury News, 15 May 2024
The constituency for limited government, the rule of law, free enterprise, personal responsibility, etc., is very small.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 15 May 2024
William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Their unity and uniforms signaled an allegiance to one man over the rule of law.
—Barbara McQuade, TIME, 29 May 2024
The last thing the proponents of this story want is an impartial, honest judiciary committed to the rule of law.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 May 2024
Japan’s top envoy weighed in while visiting the U.S., saying Japan and Taiwan share values and principles, including freedom, democracy, basic rights, and rule of law.
—Christopher Bodeen, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 May 2024
The rule of law rather than the rule of Man (referring to kings and dictators) was the path chosen and defended, until now.
—Dean Minnich, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2024
And many within the Israeli government fought to expand the rule of law into the territories, with some success.
—Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024
What could be more abusive or obscene than unilaterally absolving the would-be insurrectionists, nearly 900 currently, who have been fairly prosecuted and sentenced according to the rule of law that a president is sworn to uphold?
—Jackie Calmes, The Mercury News, 15 May 2024
The constituency for limited government, the rule of law, free enterprise, personal responsibility, etc., is very small.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 15 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rule of law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 3 Jun. 2024.
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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