as a rule

phrase

: for the most part : generally

As a rule, I don't drive in the snow.

Examples of as a rule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nonpartisan experts in voting laws and machinery — academics, journalists, lawyers and others — have, as a rule, defended the current state of American processes. — Ron Elving, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026

The emotional compass of the United Farm Workers of America for decades, the petite mother of 14 attained singular stature as a rule-breaking proto-feminist, godmother of the Chicano power movement and doyenne of American labor. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s right side is undersized as a rule and net-front defence is a challenge. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Generative AI wasn't trained on E-E-A-T as a rule book, but it's absorbed the same logic. — Charles Nicholls, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for as a rule

• minuscule
• molecule
• overrule
• poiseuille
• reticule
• ridicule
• vestibule
• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule