rule of law
noun phrase
: a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed by everyone
The courts uphold the rule of law.
Examples of rule of law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In places where the rule of law is weak or red tape is rampant, founders spend more time navigating paperwork and loopholes than building value.
—
Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Clearly Putin is determined to see nothing less than the destruction of a democratic Ukraine tethered to Europe and has no respect for the international rule of law or his counterparts.
—Oleksandra Matviichuk, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
On Thursday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court voted 4-1 to convict Bolsonaro on all five charges, including attempting to stage a coup, leading an armed criminal group, and attempting a violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Bolsonaro, 70, was found guilty on all five counts he was charged with — attempting to stage a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law and two counts relating to destruction of state property.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rule of law
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.
Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Clearly Putin is determined to see nothing less than the destruction of a democratic Ukraine tethered to Europe and has no respect for the international rule of law or his counterparts.
—Oleksandra Matviichuk, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
On Thursday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court voted 4-1 to convict Bolsonaro on all five charges, including attempting to stage a coup, leading an armed criminal group, and attempting a violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Bolsonaro, 70, was found guilty on all five counts he was charged with — attempting to stage a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law and two counts relating to destruction of state property.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rule of law
Cite this Entry
“Rule of law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20law. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
rule of law
1
: an authoritative legal doctrine, principle, or precept applied to the facts of an appropriate case
adopting the rule of law that is most persuasive in light of precedent, reason and policy—Wright v. Wright, 904 P.2d 403 (1995)
Wright v. Wright, 904 P.2d 403 (1995)2
: government by law : adherence to due process of law
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share