1
as in governed
to exercise authority or power over
a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in controlled
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 ruled
Transport yourself back in time to the days where kings and queens ruled, and see over 100 daily shows.
—
Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
The Supreme Court in June declined the toy companies’ request to take up the issue before a lower appeals court ruled on the case.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in February that personalized license plates, with their customizable alphanumeric combinations, are considered government speech, not private speech, and are therefore not subject to the protections of the First Amendment.
—Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025
His death was ruled a suicide by hanging.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
Shares of the Google parent jumped 6% in premarket trading after a federal judge ruled Tuesday that Google can keep its Chrome browser but won't be allowed to strike exclusive search deals and must share its search data.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
First base umpire Derek Thomas ruled it to have been a foul ball.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Before that, former army commander Prayut Chan-o-cha ruled as prime minister for nine years after seizing power in a coup in 2014.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
The understandably paparazzi-shy supermodel, who ruled the runways in the ‘90s, hasn’t been in the public eye much after having a baby boy with Joaquim Valente in February.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
The Supreme Court in June declined the toy companies’ request to take up the issue before a lower appeals court ruled on the case.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in February that personalized license plates, with their customizable alphanumeric combinations, are considered government speech, not private speech, and are therefore not subject to the protections of the First Amendment.
—Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025
His death was ruled a suicide by hanging.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
Shares of the Google parent jumped 6% in premarket trading after a federal judge ruled Tuesday that Google can keep its Chrome browser but won't be allowed to strike exclusive search deals and must share its search data.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
First base umpire Derek Thomas ruled it to have been a foul ball.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Before that, former army commander Prayut Chan-o-cha ruled as prime minister for nine years after seizing power in a coup in 2014.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
The understandably paparazzi-shy supermodel, who ruled the runways in the ‘90s, hasn’t been in the public eye much after having a baby boy with Joaquim Valente in February.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruled
Verb
-
Different categories of health insurance are governed by different agencies and are therefore subject to different prior authorization rules.—
Lauren Sausser,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Think of individual workplaces as their own countries, each governed by a specific set of social norms and ways of operating.—
Julia Sullivan,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Packers controlled the line of scrimmage, holding the league’s top-scoring offense from 2024 to just 13 points.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Each lighting unit contains three separate color-changing bulbs that can be individually controlled.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The fire is yet to be contained.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Police believe the items may have contained THC and are examining whether Niinami knew the substance is strictly regulated in Japan.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Any significant change in the way outdoor cultivation is regulated could only be achieved through a change in state law or the administrative rulemaking process.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The most serious threat has come from Newcastle, under Saudi Arabian ownership, and even their spending has been curbed by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
However, any gains in the equity market were curbed by further signs of weakness in the labor market.—
Sean Conlon,Sarah Min,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For the past 25 years, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule has kept vital forests and grassland safe from bulldozers, saws, excavators and drilling equipment.—
Ryan Gellert,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Head coach Éric Chelle, tasked with steadying the ship after recent stumbles, kept his cards close.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Other wrestlers then restrained Jackson.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The Dalai Lama has also restrained the scope of the Sino-Tibetan conflict by opting to pursue regional autonomy within the People’s Republic of China instead of full independence for Tibet.—
Tenzin Dorjee,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Matt Dinkel, Mandolins’ general manager, measured the sidewalk outside at 17 degrees hotter than the dining area.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Researchers measured violent and property crime data from 2023, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking rates.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruled. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share