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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruling
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2026
But after the Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act, Republicans in Alabama sought to revert back to a map first proposed in 2023 that had previously been rejected as a violation of the act.
—Elena Shao, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025
Mali’s ruling junta responded to an al-Qaida affiliate’s fuel blockade by shuttering all schools until mid-November, the latest sign of instability in the West African country.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
By ruling that such race-conscious compliance is unconstitutional, the Court hollowed out one of the most powerful applications of the Voting Rights Act, causing redistricting efforts to soar in states around the country before the 2026 midterm elections, particularly in southern states.
—Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
The judge overseeing the case heard the argument on the injunction request Wednesday but did not issue an immediate ruling.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2026
But after the Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act, Republicans in Alabama sought to revert back to a map first proposed in 2023 that had previously been rejected as a violation of the act.
—Elena Shao, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Adjective
Machado recounted a teacher who convinced her local ruling-party captain to support the opposition after her son, living in Peru, urged her to vote for change.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025
Mali’s ruling junta responded to an al-Qaida affiliate’s fuel blockade by shuttering all schools until mid-November, the latest sign of instability in the West African country.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Viola’s reaction spotlighted growing frustration among competitors who believe the ruling body is using procedural fixes to avoid addressing biological differences in girls' sports.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
By ruling that such race-conscious compliance is unconstitutional, the Court hollowed out one of the most powerful applications of the Voting Rights Act, causing redistricting efforts to soar in states around the country before the 2026 midterm elections, particularly in southern states.
—Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
-
Due to the new charge, Le's sentence was heavily weighted toward probation rather than prison time, the outlet reported.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
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When successfully argued, the defendant is not acquitted of murder but instead found guilty of manslaughter, which carries a lighter sentence.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
Noun
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The second decree establishes guidelines for the protection of women in the digital environment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
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An outside monitor was assigned to send progress reports to the judge overseeing the decree to ensure the city is complying with it.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.—
Betsy Golden Kellem,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yields spiked to multi-decade highs in recent weeks after a set of disastrous nationwide local election results for the governing Labour Party put Prime Minister Keir Starmer's premiership under pressure.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
26 May 2026
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His comments were echoed by Yair Golan, the leader of Israel’s left parliamentary bloc, which would likely be a member of any non-Netanyahu governing coalition after the election.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Speculation about the sale of Missoni began circulating in January, and in March, the brand announced that FSI would become the controlling shareholder.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Vogue,
22 May 2026
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He is used to controlling everyone with money, threats, or a combination of both.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Trump has denied Carroll’s allegations against him and tried to appeal both verdicts but has been unsuccessful in both cases, putting him on the verge of having to pay out millions.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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In Zscaler's case, the post-earnings price action delivered a painful verdict.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The edict that journalists be accompanied at all times while on Pentagon grounds was introduced in March after a judge struck down an earlier set of restrictions.—
Scott Nover,
Washington Post,
18 May 2026
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The Chargers’ last game was a playoff loss to Vrabel’s Patriots, so nothing short of an edict from the NFL probably would have stopped the franchise’s social media team from referencing the Vrabel-Russini controversy.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The general manager praised Levshunov as the total package after that draft.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Borgonzoni, who oversees the country’s cinema department and is a staunch local film and TV industry advocate, underlined that all IGS screenings and masterclasses are open to the general audience free of charge.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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