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
In dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor accused the majority of not being brave enough to protect the rule of law.
—
Time, 14 Nov. 2025
Jagland at the time was the secretary-general of the Council of Europe, an international organization focused on human rights and the rule of law on the continent.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 13 Nov. 2025
On the left, critics see Vance as the Machiavellian defender-in-chief of a dangerous president who is using his second term to undermine democracy and the rule of law.
—Daniel Bush, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
But even Biden’s commitment to multilateralism regarding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law was not absolute.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
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Time, 14 Nov. 2025
Jagland at the time was the secretary-general of the Council of Europe, an international organization focused on human rights and the rule of law on the continent.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 13 Nov. 2025
On the left, critics see Vance as the Machiavellian defender-in-chief of a dangerous president who is using his second term to undermine democracy and the rule of law.
—Daniel Bush, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
But even Biden’s commitment to multilateralism regarding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law was not absolute.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 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 19 Nov. 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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