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
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
The ruling will come amid growing questions over the high court's independence.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
Antonio MarÃa 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
David A. Lieb,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
In the former, the far-right Alternative for Germany, which is already the largest opposition party in the Bundestag, could conceivably shoulder its way into a ruling coalition.
—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
The blockbuster rulings that dominate the news cycle each June are not sudden flashes of judicial willpower.
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The Conversation,
24 June 2026
The ruling will come amid growing questions over the high court's independence.
—
ABC News,
24 June 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 MarÃa 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
The Supreme Court agreed, ruling that separate warning requirements cannot be compelled by state laws and courts.
—
David A. Lieb,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
In the former, the far-right Alternative for Germany, which is already the largest opposition party in the Bundestag, could conceivably shoulder its way into a ruling coalition.
—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
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To its credit, the Ai Funds prospectus includes the sentence a regulator would want to see.
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Graduation ceremonies around the country in recent weeks have made headlines for student valedictorians being cut off mid-sentence, guest speakers facing boos from audiences and even an allegation of a racist speech.
Noun
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Abandoned during the Mexican period of California history, the mission was returned to the Catholic Church in 1862 via a decree from President Abraham Lincoln.
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Just over a year ago, a federal judge dismissed a possible federal consent decree with the department, leading to now-former police chief Brian O'Hara, Mayor Jacob Frey and leaders from the state human rights department to double down on a joint commitment to the local decree.
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.
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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.
Verb
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But with a few exceptions, there are no universal regulations governing adventure tourism or extreme sports.
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The campaign blitz comes against a backdrop of bipartisan consensus that Congress needs to set more rules governing AI and the powerful companies developing it.
Verb
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France has largely dominated, controlling 68% of possession and creating a whopping seven shots on goal.
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No other sports empire on our list owns controlling stakes in teams as diverse — NFL, NBA, NHL, Premiere League soccer — or as widely spread out geographically — Los Angeles, Denver, London — as KSE.
Noun
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The call for impeachment comes just days after a judge delivered the verdict following a two-day bench trial for Precious Bland.
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The jury in that trial was unable to reach a verdict on the charge related to Mann and a mistrial was declared, as one juror refused to continue deliberating amid hostilities among their fellow jurors.
Noun
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Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse The highly agile Getty shooter Alan Crowhurst has done us a great favor by bringing concrete cloakroom evidence of the many social and administrative challenges that the (famous) Royal Ascot costume edicts require in order to be properly met.
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The memorandum includes a pledge by Iran to never purchase or construct nuclear weapons — a vow the Islamic Republic has made multiple times before, including by signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in a religious edict issued by the late supreme leader and in the Obama-era nuclear accord.
Adjective
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Nonetheless, there is still an excitement that comes with it for the general manager, even in the later rounds.
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And since then, the Mets have gone through several general managers and interim general managers.
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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