RULING (ON) Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

ruling (on)

verb

Definition of ruling (on)

present participle of rule (on)

as in deciding

to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute) the coach ruled on the question of whether an off-campus bar fight ought to disqualify someone from the team

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling (on)

Verb

Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and early withdrawals may face penalties unless they’re used for qualifying expenses such as education or a first home, so families should review the tax rules before deciding how to use the money.

— Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Coach Jim Harbaugh blamed himself for starting the landslide by deciding to go for it on fourth down from the Chargers’ 41, saying the team should have punted then relied on its defense, which had played well all day.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of deciding

Verb

The exact motive behind this particular campaign remains unclear because determining the next step would require engaging with the sender.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The discussion centered on how that tool might become part of a connected filmmaking process, with human direction and VFX expertise still determining how its images fit together.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of determining

Verb

Pick three colors, say pink, brown and green, and run a one-week trial of each before settling.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
He was first forced from his home as a child during South Sudan’s struggle for independence, eventually settling in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

— Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of settling

Verb

Even when the characters make questionable choices, the series seems more interested in understanding than judging them.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
And judging from the questions asked during the hour-long event, Georgia voters are worried about affordability, healthcare and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, data centers and Flock surveillance cameras.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of judging

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

ruling

ruling (on)

ruling out

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“Ruling (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling%20%28on%29. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ruling (on)

verb

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