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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of ruling
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
If Rozier is ruled ineligible by the NBA, his salary after such an NBA ruling would be removed from the Heat’s salary cap, luxury tax and tax aprons.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 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
Danish Manzoor Bhat, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
In this age of money ruling all things program building — not historical blue blood status or high school geographic recruiting footprints — anyone can change the course of history with the right coach and a boatload of cash (hello, Indiana).
—Matt Hayes, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
The court ruling will determine whether the renovation continues and could set precedent on how much control a president has over altering the nation’s most historic residence.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
If Rozier is ruled ineligible by the NBA, his salary after such an NBA ruling would be removed from the Heat’s salary cap, luxury tax and tax aprons.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 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
The green-and-yellow colors of Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party dominate every street.
—Danish Manzoor Bhat, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
In this age of money ruling all things program building — not historical blue blood status or high school geographic recruiting footprints — anyone can change the course of history with the right coach and a boatload of cash (hello, Indiana).
—Matt Hayes, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
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Every prosecution and sentence like this one moves us a step closer to deterring criminals from committing these crimes and protecting others from a similar fate.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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What was Wuornos charged with and what was her sentence?—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What’s more, after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Czechs who had their property seized by the state were allowed to reclaim much of it through a restitution system – but not ethnic Germans who lost it under the post-war Benes decrees.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
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The violence reached such a fever pitch that in April 1932, the federal government banned the SA through an emergency decree.—
Time,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Dissent is nothing more than the expression of an opinion that varies from the prevailing or traditional view or the position held by those in power.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The election was triggered in June when Wilders abruptly withdrew support from the governing coalition, accusing his partners of blocking his proposal to halt all asylum migration.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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Voters punished Trudeau’s party in the polls, and the new prime minister, Progressive Conservative (PC) leader Brian Mulroney won the largest governing majority in Canadian history in 1984.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, there's a significant difference between containing and controlling a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Jeanie Buss in 2020 became the first female controlling owner of an NBA championship team.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, following that guilty verdict, Toolan's conviction was reversed on appeal in 2011 by the Supreme Judicial Court, which cited flaws in the jury selection, and a new trial was ordered.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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In a July 2 verdict, the Bad Boy Records founder was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Owners who defy this edict will be tied down and forced to watch their machines being destroyed during a demolition derby that will be free for the public to watch.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
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Of course, Nix never has to worry about the pain his defensive teammates can inflict, protected in practice by the strict don’t-touch-the-QB edict.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In general, the family and the Brown-Forman Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, tries to be consistent with its giving, said current Brown-Forman board chairman Farrer.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
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Led by quarterback Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt’s roster has been built by coach Clark Lea and general manager Barton Simmons, a longtime recruiting analyst for Rivals and 247Sports.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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