ruling

noun

rul·ing | \ ˈrü-liŋ

Definition of ruling

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an official or authoritative decision, decree, statement, or interpretation (as by a judge on a point of law)

ruling

adjective

Definition of ruling (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : exerting power or authority the ruling party

b : chief, predominating a ruling passion

2 : generally prevailing

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about ruling

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Synonyms & Antonyms for ruling

Synonyms: Noun

doom, finding, holding, judgment (or judgement), sentence

Synonyms: Adjective

common, general, majority, overall, popular, prevailing, public, received, vulgar

Antonyms: Adjective

uncommon, unpopular

Examples of ruling in a Sentence

Noun

The decision overturns the Supreme Court's earlier ruling. She disputed the referee's ruling.

Adjective

members of the ruling class the ruling opinion on premarital sex

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Sunday’s court ruling in Guatemala has effectively ended speculation about the viability of a deal between the two countries. — Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, "How Trump’s Safe-Third-Country Agreement with Guatemala Fell Apart," 15 July 2019 The 9th Circuit’s ruling Friday concerned a different program, Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, grants, which are used to hire more police officers. — Gene Johnson, The Seattle Times, "Appeals court gives Trump a win in sanctuary city case," 15 July 2019 The 9th Circuit’s ruling Friday concerned a different program, Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, grants, which are used to hire more police officers. — Washington Post, "Appeals court gives Trump a win in sanctuary city case," 13 July 2019 Lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and the LGBTQ advocacy group Basic Rights Oregon will attend oral arguments at Pioneer Courthouse, hoping to convince the appeals panel to affirm Hernandez’s ruling. — oregonlive.com, "Oregon school district’s restroom policy for transgender students goes before 9th Circuit," 11 July 2019 During a court appearance Tuesday before Baldini, LaLima asked for time to consider an appeal of Graham’s ruling. — David Owens, courant.com, "Judge rejects accused Farmington drug dealer’s claim prosecutor is biased against him because he’s white," 9 July 2019 Meanwhile, Qualcomm’s appeal to reverse Koh’s ruling is proceeding separately. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Qualcomm asks Ninth Circuit to put antitrust sanctions on hold pending appeal," 9 July 2019 However, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who had rebuffed requests for records held by his agency, is appealing Judge Ulmer’s ruling, arguing anew that the Department of Justice shouldn’t have to release records on local police misconduct. — Dan Walters, The Mercury News, "Walters: California agencies often stall on public records access," 8 July 2019 Trump’s administration has faced numerous roadblocks to adding the question, like last week’s Supreme Court ruling that blocked its inclusion, at least temporarily. — Jill Colvin, The Denver Post, "Trump administration to pursue citizenship question on census but path unclear," 5 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Her decision to relinquish the post comes after a bruising week for the ruling Liberal-National coalition government. — James Glynn, WSJ, "Australia’s Conservative Infighting Claims Another Victim," 26 Aug. 2018 His announcement comes as Peter Dutton, a populist who has campaigned on border protection, canvasses colleagues within the ruling Liberal Party—the country’s main conservative bloc—in his second attempt in a week to unseat Mr. Turnbull. — Rob Taylor, WSJ, "Malcolm Turnbull Poised to Step Down as Australia’s Leader," 23 Aug. 2018 Photo: Reuters The operation’s success provides a lift for a ruling military junta that has long been criticized for repeatedly putting off elections following a 2014 coup. — Phred Dvorak, WSJ, "All 12 Boys and Their Soccer Coach Rescued From Thai Cave," 10 July 2018 The ruling Baath party claims to represent all of Syria’s religions and sects. — The Economist, "How a victorious Bashar al-Assad is changing Syria," 28 June 2018 As prices soared and gas lines stretched, Brazilians united in a shared hatred of the ruling political class. — Marina Lopes, Washington Post, "Brazilian leader bows to truckers' demands but strike continues to cause chaos," 28 May 2018 Charismatic and fiery, Pashinyan had convinced some lawmakers from the ruling Republican Party to cross party lines and vote for him — something unthinkable just a short while ago. — Washington Post, "Armenia’s opposition leader named prime minister, and his supporters erupt in cheers," 12 May 2018 Charismatic and fiery, Pashinyan had convinced some lawmakers from the ruling Republican Party to cross party lines and vote for him — something unthinkable just a short while ago. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Armenian Parliament elects opposition leader as prime minister," 8 May 2018 Charismatic and fiery, Pashinyan had convinced some lawmakers from the ruling Republican Party to cross party lines and vote for him — something unthinkable just a short while ago. — Washington Post, "Armenian parliament elects opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ruling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near ruling

rule the roost

rule with an iron fist/hand

rule with a rod of iron

Statistics for ruling

Last Updated

19 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for ruling

The first known use of ruling was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for ruling

ruling

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ruling

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an official decision made by a judge, referee, etc.

ruling

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of ruling (Entry 2 of 2)

: having control and power over a country, area, group, etc.

See the full definition for ruling in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ruling

noun

rul·ing | \ ˈrü-liŋ\

Kids Definition of ruling

: an official decision (as by a judge)

ruling

noun

rul·ing

Legal Definition of ruling

: an official or authoritative determination, decree, statement, or interpretation (as by a judge on a question of law) followed a previous ruling on the same question — see also revenue ruling — compare decision, disposition, finding, holding, judgment, opinion, verdict