: an official or authoritative decision, decree, statement, or interpretation (as by a judge on a point of law)
1
a
: exerting power or authority
the ruling party
b
: chief, predominating
a ruling passion
2
: generally prevailing
the ruling prices
Synonyms of ruling
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
Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Judge issues first round of rulings On Thursday, the judge ruled to allow jurors to view and inspect the boat, which is stored at the FWC’s headquarters.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
ABC News, 14 May 2026
The Thucydides Trap refers to how tensions historically between a rising and ruling power have often resulted in a war.
—Evelyn Cheng,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
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Noun
The ruling came after the first bench trial in the country to examine the constitutionality of the execution method that has now been used to put eight people to death, seven in Alabama and one in Louisiana.
—Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Judge issues first round of rulings On Thursday, the judge ruled to allow jurors to view and inspect the boat, which is stored at the FWC’s headquarters.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Adjective
The groups are a staple of pro-ruling party demonstrations.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
The Thucydides Trap refers to how tensions historically between a rising and ruling power have often resulted in a war.
—Evelyn Cheng,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruling. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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