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
The power of this conspiratorial mindset has compromised the country’s long-standing commitments to science, national security, democracy, and the rule of law.
—
Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
Biden accused Trump of seeking to undermine the rule of law.
—Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 6 June 2024
Unlike those countries, the United States vigorously upholds the rule of law.
—Douglas Brinkley, CBS News, 2 June 2024
Israel is partly a testament to the rule of law – and partly a cautionary tale about prosecuting leaders in democracies.
—James D. Long, The Conversation, 30 May 2024
Their verdicts to hold people accountable for committing crimes is what upholds the rule of law.
—Barbara McQuade, TIME, 29 May 2024
Exasperated by his country’s divisive struggles to establish the rule of law and resist the temptations of strongman leadership, the lawyer displays a portrait of Vaclav Havel, an icon of democratic idealism, on the wall of his country house in western Slovakia.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 19 May 2024
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
Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
Biden accused Trump of seeking to undermine the rule of law.
—Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 6 June 2024
Unlike those countries, the United States vigorously upholds the rule of law.
—Douglas Brinkley, CBS News, 2 June 2024
Israel is partly a testament to the rule of law – and partly a cautionary tale about prosecuting leaders in democracies.
—James D. Long, The Conversation, 30 May 2024
Their verdicts to hold people accountable for committing crimes is what upholds the rule of law.
—Barbara McQuade, TIME, 29 May 2024
Exasperated by his country’s divisive struggles to establish the rule of law and resist the temptations of strongman leadership, the lawyer displays a portrait of Vaclav Havel, an icon of democratic idealism, on the wall of his country house in western Slovakia.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 19 May 2024
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
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 15 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share