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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ruling
Steven Beynon, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Chip Babcock, Givens’ lead attorney, told the panel in opening statements that Givens participated in the hearing by phone and made all the rulings.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
But opponents saw the move as an attempt by López Obrador to strengthen the power of his ruling Morena party by overhauling the very judiciary that often blocked some of his policy proposals.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Yoon survives an impeachment vote boycotted by most ruling party lawmakers.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
The rule was drafted in part as a response to a 2025 federal court ruling and came suddenly and without warning to veteran groups and Congress, a break in longstanding norms for significant changes to benefits.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Chip Babcock, Givens’ lead attorney, told the panel in opening statements that Givens participated in the hearing by phone and made all the rulings.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Critics argue the measures target urban, educated, and affluent voters who may not support the ruling Fidesz party.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
But opponents saw the move as an attempt by López Obrador to strengthen the power of his ruling Morena party by overhauling the very judiciary that often blocked some of his policy proposals.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Verb
Trump may attempt to revive Section 338 of the antiquated 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which theoretically allows the president to hit discriminatory countries with tariffs of up to 50%, but Ashworth sees courts ruling that the explicit provisions of the 1974 Trade Act would take legal precedence.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Yoon survives an impeachment vote boycotted by most ruling party lawmakers.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
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Following his conviction, he was sentenced to 20 years and 8 months in prison, as well as three consecutive sentences of 25 years to life.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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However, the teachers’ unions note that hundreds of documents Epstein files released by the DOJ reference Rowan and indicate the current Apollo CEO met with Epstein multiple times years after the 2008 guilty plea and his 18-month jail sentence.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Yoon lifted the decree about three hours later.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
These spaces were absolutely off limits to children, by the stern decree of our mothers and grandmothers.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
-
In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still, Alex Bores, a computer scientist and New York Assembly member prominent in the state’s legislative debate over AI, which culminated in a comprehensive bill governing the technology, said AI is a natural field to regulate.—
Darius Tahir,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
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Mandelson is considered an elder statesman of the governing Labour Party in the UK and has denied any criminal wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In April 2025, Dane announced he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells controlling muscles throughout the body.—
Maria Sherman,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
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That said, our primary focus for aligning the organization with our long-term goals remains disciplined workforce management, meaning prioritizing voluntary departures while carefully controlling recruitment for replacements and new roles.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Weinstein's past trials In a messy split verdict last June, Weinstein was convicted of forcing oral sex on one woman, Miriam Haley, acquitted of forcibly performing oral sex on another woman, Kaja Sokola, and the jury didn't decide on the rape charge involving Mann.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The Austrian courts’ verdict for Plamberger could set a precedent for future alpine divorces across the country.—
Mary Beth Skylis,
Outside,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Commissioner Adam Silver delivered an edict on potential changes for the 2026-27 season to deter tanking as a whole during a general managers meeting Thursday, according to an ESPN report.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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Covid-19 bred doubt about government edicts and skepticism about science, provoking an existential battle for truth.—
Richard Edelman,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The two Spinosaurus species, which were contemporaneous, shared the same general body plan including long dorsal spines forming the sail-like structure and a skull adapted for hunting fish.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In person, Melling is naturally curious, freely solicitous of my opinions about the film or book recommendations in general.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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