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
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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
Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Your ruling planet, Mars, moves through steady, comfort-seeking Taurus until June 28, grounding your focus on finances and practical matters.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 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
While Petro is barred from seeking re-election, Senator Iván Cepeda pledges to continue the president’s leftist agenda, running as the candidate for the ruling Historic Pact party.
—Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Your ruling planet, Mars, moves through steady, comfort-seeking Taurus until June 28, grounding your focus on finances and practical matters.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
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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
-
And there’s a chance the Giants vote against Sacramento as an expansion site because the Giants want to continue controlling the market.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
As with minimizing soil disturbance, this, too, helps tremendously with controlling erosion, increasing the carbon content of soil and conserving moisture.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Noun
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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
-
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
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That's our mission now is to help other DIYers learn how to do more on their project, from general contracting all the way through some of the actual construction elements.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
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There are chances to take a deep dive into various history or literature classes beyond general education requirements, or for students to discover their passions or potential career pathways, Ellman said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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