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
Fico, who took power for the fourth time last October, has turned the country’s foreign policy to more pro-Russian views and initiated reforms of criminal law and the media, which have raised concerns over weakening the rule of law.
—
Reuters, NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024
After years of backing corrupt and undemocratic leaders, the U.S. government has a chance to back Haitians promoting democracy and the rule of law.
—Pierre Esperance, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
To make this more tenable — not that Trump has shown much interest in the rule of law or the Constitution, mind you — one of Trump or Rubio would have to establish residency outside of Florida.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2024
ByteDance operates in an environment without the rule of law.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2024
In late February, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court issued a ruling that should comfort all Americans who love and defend our Constitution and the rule of law.
—Rob Ortt, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024
Netanyahu placed extremists in positions of power, undermined confidence in the rule of law, and sacrificed principle to power.
—Anshel Pfeffer, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2024
Until then, the damage to the New York business community and to the rule of law is irretrievable.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024
The flow of European money to Hungary has slowed in recent years because of Mr. Orban’s disputes with Brussels over the rule of law, minority rights and other issues.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Reuters, NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024
After years of backing corrupt and undemocratic leaders, the U.S. government has a chance to back Haitians promoting democracy and the rule of law.
—Pierre Esperance, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
To make this more tenable — not that Trump has shown much interest in the rule of law or the Constitution, mind you — one of Trump or Rubio would have to establish residency outside of Florida.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2024
ByteDance operates in an environment without the rule of law.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2024
In late February, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court issued a ruling that should comfort all Americans who love and defend our Constitution and the rule of law.
—Rob Ortt, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024
Netanyahu placed extremists in positions of power, undermined confidence in the rule of law, and sacrificed principle to power.
—Anshel Pfeffer, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2024
Until then, the damage to the New York business community and to the rule of law is irretrievable.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024
The flow of European money to Hungary has slowed in recent years because of Mr. Orban’s disputes with Brussels over the rule of law, minority rights and other issues.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 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 19 Apr. 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
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