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
Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026
The judge's ruling dramatically narrowed the case to focus only on the actress' retaliation claims and a breach of contract claim weeks before the trial was set to begin.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 May 2026
The 5th Circuit’s ruling last month applied to one of three lawsuits against SB10 filed by a coalition that includes the ACLU of Texas, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
—Haajrah Gilani, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
Still, the ruling is anything but dangerous.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2026
The judge's ruling dramatically narrowed the case to focus only on the actress' retaliation claims and a breach of contract claim weeks before the trial was set to begin.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Adjective
How would the new ruling impact DACA recipients and first-time applicants?
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
Ramirez was taken to a hospital and died seven days later, with the coroner's office ruling the death from natural causes.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 7 May 2026
The 5th Circuit’s ruling last month applied to one of three lawsuits against SB10 filed by a coalition that includes the ACLU of Texas, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
—Haajrah Gilani, Houston Chronicle, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
-
Her foundation said she has been granted a prison sentence suspension on bail.—
Sarah el Deeb,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Despite what supporters describe as overwhelming evidence in her favor, the courts denied at least four challenges to Olga's sentence.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
At the time of his death, the 53-year-old president was enmeshed in a constitutional crisis over his tenure, and his ruling by decree following his dismissal of the Parliament.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
-
France’s highest administrative court will make a ruling based on their conclusions, which will be enacted by government decree.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
But that logic effectively reduces state legislatures to instruments of national party strategy, rather than independent governing bodies accountable first to their own voters.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
The hypothetical doctor would be a governing body for the sport.—
Sam Cohn,
Baltimore Sun,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Her students have more trouble controlling their bodies and expressing their feelings.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Federal officials recently launched a prize competition to reward ideas for controlling the flow of aquatic species into and out of the ballasts of boats that travel among the various lakes and waterways across the United States.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Spatola and his legal team declined to comment immediately after the verdict.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
-
Meade County officials said the verdict is under review.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Vancouver’s mayor issued a stern edict to keep the Whitecaps in town.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
My worry is edicts from Hartford.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Bus lanes there are physically separated from general traffic.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
While general manager Jeff Pagliocca has been quick to trade high draft picks in the past, the front office still has a desire to build through the draft — and has not been successful in that endeavor.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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