1
as in sentence
a decision made by a court or tribunal regarding a case it has heard
the controversial ruling by the state's supreme court caused an uproar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in decree
an order publicly issued by an authority
the FCC's ruling regarding the broadcasting of obscenities
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in prevailing
held by or applicable to a majority of the people
the ruling opinion on premarital sex
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in governing
to exercise authority or power over
a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in controlling
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
a monarch who is known for ruling her emotions with an iron hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ruling
Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Because an earlier temporary restraining order was expiring, Planned Parenthood said many health centers were forced to stop billing for Medicaid services ahead of the ruling on July 28.
—Nate Raymond, USA Today, 28 July 2025
Sizwe Mpofu Walsh, Time, 23 May 2025
Both Sheinbaum and Brugada are prominent members of the ruling Morena party.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
However, spring begins on a sour note, as Venus—your ruling planet—will station retrograde in Aries as of March 1.
—Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
This ruling undermines state flexibility and disregards longstanding concerns about accountability.
—Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Because an earlier temporary restraining order was expiring, Planned Parenthood said many health centers were forced to stop billing for Medicaid services ahead of the ruling on July 28.
—Nate Raymond, USA Today, 28 July 2025
Adjective
Ramaphosa and his ruling African National Congress party have presided over 30 years of misgovernance and Black stagnation, and the ANC’s grip on power is now looking shakier.
—Sizwe Mpofu Walsh, Time, 23 May 2025
Both Sheinbaum and Brugada are prominent members of the ruling Morena party.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Verb
This decision is part of broader litigation challenging the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), with several district courts ruling in favor of the Treasury's position on the CTA's constitutionality.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
However, spring begins on a sour note, as Venus—your ruling planet—will station retrograde in Aries as of March 1.
—Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
-
Throughout the process, Garza has faced criticism from victims who believe their perpetrators should have received more severe sentences.—
Skye Seipp,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
As a result, the agency's decisions about where and how long individuals serve their sentences often override judicial input, further reinforcing the BOP’s unilateral control.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Judge Sean Jordan ruled against a Biden-era decree from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that tens of billions worth of medical debt be excluded from credit reports.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
The formal decree was one of many that Pope Leo made last month, according to the Vatican.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
The death, in a hospital, was announced by the International Chess Federation, the game’s governing body.—
Dylan Loeb McClain,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Whether your board can discontinue maintenance hinges on the co-op’s governing documents and the approval of any change by the requisite voting interests.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
While that 2018 verdict came swiftly, Garber cited a process regarding Messi and Alba and that decisions about who could and couldn’t play over the weekend could wait until after the All-Star Game.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
-
This past April, Kingston was taken into custody after his guilty verdict, but posted $100,000 bond before his release.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Iran's top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, issued a fatwa, or religious edict, against Trump on June 29.—
Mandy Taheri
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
-
Folt arrived in 2019 in the aftermath of the Varsity Blues scandal — as well as several other scandals — with an edict to clean up the university.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Credit card debt in general has seen fresh highs in the years following the pandemic, as inflationary pressures and stagnant wage growth have caused many Americans to look to consumer debt to fill the gaps.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
That orbit in general is an ellipse, an oval shape.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
The drug may achieve these benefits by regulating cellular growth and metabolism.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Dec. 2024
-
On the other hand, if your social media app of choice elicits feelings of insufficiency, and self-control resources are burned up by exerting will power to avoid consuming products, or regulating hard emotions, than that experience is important to notice.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
In addition to the $800,000, the Roc-A-Fella co-founder was also ordered to pay Webber $4 million in a default judgment this past March.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
28 July 2025
-
Well, judgment, taste, deep experience and knowledge.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share