as in to decide
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rule (on)
Verb
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This information helps the military decide whether a rescue is immediately feasible, what methods should be used, and which aircraft to send to rescue the crew.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026 -
As first impressions go, this was the equivalent of forgetting a date’s name, checking the phone while ordering, and deciding to talk religion and politics over dessert.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Roberts said Betts won’t play in Sunday’s series finale against the Washington Nationals, and his availability for the series in Toronto beginning Monday won’t be determined until after the results of the MRI are known.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
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For many years, the top pick was determined by a coin flip between the worst teams in the Western and Eastern Conferences.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The impossibility of his quest began to settle in.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Southlake megachurch and its attorneys want to use someone from the American Arbitration Association or a district judge to settle the matter.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reid Wiseman, was part of the judging panel that selected Lucas’ design from a shortlist of finalists.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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And judging from her recommendations, Lipa’s literary taste tends expansive—globally, and genre-wise.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Rule (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rule%20%28on%29. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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