1
as in sentences
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 decrees
an order publicly issued by an authority
the FCC's ruling regarding the broadcasting of obscenities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of rulings
The township is arguing that state law regarding government employee protections against lawsuits conflicts with federal court rulings.
—
Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
The appellate panel denied the Oppermans’ appeal, making some important rulings that provide guidance to all California HOAs.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker argued that public discussion of these views could violate prior court rulings limiting evidence related to the Gaza conflict.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … OPINION ILYA SHAPIRO – Supreme Court’s 2026 rulings could define America for decades to come.
—FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Whether this level of protection was actually called for is still much disputed, and in three separate rulings this year federal courts found that there was no such need in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland.
—Erwin Chemerinsky, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
The chief justice's Wednesday letter was largely focused on the nation's history, including an early 19th-century case establishing the principle that Congress shouldn't remove judges over contentious rulings.
—CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026
Since then, Roberts and the court’s conservatives have been less willing to stand aside while federal judges hand down nationwide rulings.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
That decision sparked lawsuits and a string of swift and contradictory judicial rulings that deal with government power — and impact food access for some 42 million Americans.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
The appellate panel denied the Oppermans’ appeal, making some important rulings that provide guidance to all California HOAs.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker argued that public discussion of these views could violate prior court rulings limiting evidence related to the Gaza conflict.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Continue reading … OPINION ILYA SHAPIRO – Supreme Court’s 2026 rulings could define America for decades to come.
—FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Whether this level of protection was actually called for is still much disputed, and in three separate rulings this year federal courts found that there was no such need in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland.
—Erwin Chemerinsky, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
The chief justice's Wednesday letter was largely focused on the nation's history, including an early 19th-century case establishing the principle that Congress shouldn't remove judges over contentious rulings.
—CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026
Since then, Roberts and the court’s conservatives have been less willing to stand aside while federal judges hand down nationwide rulings.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
That decision sparked lawsuits and a string of swift and contradictory judicial rulings that deal with government power — and impact food access for some 42 million Americans.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rulings
Noun
-
The defendants' sentences were reduced because they were abused by the victims, in accordance with the New York Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, legislation that Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney criticized.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
In his appeal, Francis argued that he was unjustly sentenced to a longer prison term than any of his co-defendants despite federal rules meant to limit large disparities when judges issue sentences in multi-defendant cases.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The White House itself has directly issued at least thirty-six orders, decrees, and directives targeting at least a hundred specific individuals and entities with punitive actions.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
15 Jan. 2026
-
To now endure censure by overzealous anti-Pretendian crusaders, and banishment by bureaucratic tribal decrees and reactionary blood-quantum rules, feels particularly bitter.—
David Treuer,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The findings reveal a mix of familiar favorites in the States along with international escapes.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The findings show that seven in 10 people with cancer now survive for at least five years, up from just half of patients in the 1970s.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Williams agreed that the attempt did not make sense and explained that his thoughts were informed by intoxication and competing internal edicts from a devil and angel.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Saudi Arabia appears to be slowly and quietly rolling back its near-blanket bans on alcohol consumption, signaling perhaps another instance of the Kingdom’s strict religious edicts yielding to its push for international appeal.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Their verdicts shape borrowing costs and, in some cases, whether countries can raise capital for education, health, and infrastructure.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
But the Florida Supreme Court in 2017 ruled the new law was unconstitutional, saying jury verdicts needed to be unanimous.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Birds will have some tough decisions to make on key players who have contributed to two Super Bowl runs over the last four seasons.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Textile Talks provides the educational layer of the show, examining sustainability, compliance, supply chain shifts and digitalization so buyers can better understand the context behind their sourcing decisions.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Snap judgements may be the price of her new online presence, but for the most part, Persun views it as a small tax on the greater benefit.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
San Diego and Santa Clara counties suspend restaurant permits if owners don’t pay unsatisfied wage theft judgments.—
Terri Gerstein,
New York Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The White House itself has directly issued at least thirty-six orders, decrees, and directives targeting at least a hundred specific individuals and entities with punitive actions.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Among the proclamation's directives was a report from federal officials that included recommendations for additional actions necessary to take operational control of the southern border, including whether to invoke the Insurrection Act.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rulings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rulings. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
