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
Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
The Supreme Court allowed Texas to use its new map in an emergency ruling last month.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 14 Jan. 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
Callum Sutherland, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
The police chief ended up ruling that Guinane was unsuitable and denied the LTC application due to her husband.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
The Interior Department did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment on Monday’s ruling.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
The Supreme Court allowed Texas to use its new map in an emergency ruling last month.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 14 Jan. 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
Ömer Çelik, the spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling AK Party, said on Monday that the issue should be resolved internally.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
The police chief ended up ruling that Guinane was unsuitable and denied the LTC application due to her husband.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
-
Lesser sentence in similar case In the same courtroom Thursday, Casey Ruppe was sentenced to 60 days in jail in a case similar to Bellorin’s.—
Julia Coin
January 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
-
However, prosecutors argued for a longer sentence for the rapper in a letter to the judge obtained by The New York Times.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The actor-filmmaker, his wife Amal and their kids Alexander and Ella were recently granted citizenship in France, per a naturalization decree obtained by the French newspaper Journal officiel and viewed by PEOPLE.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The police reform decree has been in effect for more than six years, and there has been criticism and concern about the pace of implementation.—
John Schmidt,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Council members asked questions about rerouting bus traffic through the site, whether the construction jobs would pay prevailing wages, the amount of public open space available within the project, and the percentage of apartments reserved for low-income tenants.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The monthly stochastic oscillator remains in overbought territory ( > 80%), underscoring the strength of the prevailing bullish trend rather than signaling exhaustion.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Smith maintained many of the gifts cited by Cannon fell under exceptions to the disclosure rules, including those governing charity event tickets and gifts for birthdays or holidays.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Or at least the craziest until Malinin began doing on ice back flips during the 2024-25 season after the International Skating Union, the sport’s global governing body, lifted a ban on the stunt.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The farmers also pitched in with efforts of their own, including adjusting fertilizer methods, controlling soil erosion and increasing on-site water retention.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Other concerning behaviors may include constant messaging, controlling actions, name-calling, threats, or refusing to respect your boundaries.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
She was later convicted of killing Noah, 7, John, 5, Paul, 3, Luke, 2, and 6-month-old Mary in 2002 before her conviction was overturned and she was granted a retrial where the verdict was not guilty by reason of insanity.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The case ended with the largest verdict in the county’s history.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s edict was light on details — and the shares pared those losses in later trading — but the message was sent.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Gospel of Matthew, McGowan said, recounts how King Herod – upon learning that a child born in Bethlehem was destined to one day take his throne – issued an edict for all male children in the city to be executed.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
After setting a new standard for the organization in 2025, general manager Dan Morgan, head coach Dave Canales and their respective staffs need to raise the bar even higher.—
Mike Kaye
January 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Daniel McFadin is a general assignment reporter who has been with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since October 2022.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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