as in monarch
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
the aging ruler agonized over the choice of an heir
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 ruler
For years, Netanyahu resisted agitation within his own right-wing government to invade Gaza and topple its terrorist rulers.
—
Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
That way, future rulers cannot repeat them.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
The tradition of Olympic truces dates back to ninth century BC, when Greek rulers suspended some conflicts so that athletes could compete in sacred Games.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 1 Mar. 2026
There's also a ruler marked on the handle's edge.
—New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruler
Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
That way, future rulers cannot repeat them.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
The tradition of Olympic truces dates back to ninth century BC, when Greek rulers suspended some conflicts so that athletes could compete in sacred Games.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 1 Mar. 2026
There's also a ruler marked on the handle's edge.
—New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruler
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruler
Noun
-
As Dudayev spoke on a handheld satellite phone with the Moroccan monarch, Russian aircraft waited beyond visual range.—
Robert A. Pape In The Los Angeles Times,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
-
As the regional crisis escalated last month, members of Congress tweeted fond personal reflections on various Gulf monarchs.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Spectres are haunting the New York City Ballet—the spectres of kings and emperors.—
Jennifer Homans,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Here, the body of the emperor projects an overall message of confident heroism, while his garments fill in details about his status and achievements.—
Anna Swartwood House,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The situation weighs on regional risk on the margins, but most of those sovereigns carry strong balance sheets, Appio explained.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Counsellors of State are certain royals who can be called on by the monarch to act on his behalf if the sovereign is temporarily unable to carry out official duties.—
Lauren Said-Moorhouse,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rather than focusing on the shiny diversions of loud spectacles, Americans might take a few moments this year to explore the parallels between our current condition and the detailed indictment of particulars that Thomas Jefferson laid out against the king of England in 1776.—
Edwin C. Yohnka,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Gadget is a berry-forward sour brewed by the king of sour beers in the heart of hipster heaven.—
Rasputin Todd,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruler. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
