as in monarch
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
the aging ruler agonized over the choice of an heir
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ruler
Iran’s rulers, like many religious fundamentalists, celebrate indifference to earthly life and pin their sights on posthumous rewards.
—
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
The current ruler wore the regulation uniform of white pants, a dark jacket, a tie in the national colors, and a white hat.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026
And third, taking Maduro off the board was a force-multiplier for the administration’s Cuba policy, which centers on increasing economic pressure on the island until its aging rulers either wither away or negotiate their own demise.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Last spring, a company owned by the rulers of the United Arab Emirates bought two billion dollars’ worth of USD1.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruler
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
The current ruler wore the regulation uniform of white pants, a dark jacket, a tie in the national colors, and a white hat.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026
And third, taking Maduro off the board was a force-multiplier for the administration’s Cuba policy, which centers on increasing economic pressure on the island until its aging rulers either wither away or negotiate their own demise.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Last spring, a company owned by the rulers of the United Arab Emirates bought two billion dollars’ worth of USD1.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruler
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruler
Noun
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Learn about Hawaiian history at ‘Iolani Palace in Honolulu, the former royal residence of the last reigning monarchs of Hawaii.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
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Last week, the British monarch forced his brother to vacate his longtime home at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Once the emperor found out, Valentine was executed.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Born into a wealthy Greek family in Pergamon, Galen was an anatomical pioneer who served three Roman emperors; his medical texts had lasting influence for some 1,500 years.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Barrows manages the future sovereign's schedule, and accompanies her to the various appointments she is called upon to attend.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
31 Jan. 2026
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Calvin’s commentary emphasized clemency not only as a rational posture for a sovereign to adopt, but as a heroic virtue that is the essence of our common humanity.—
Bernadette Meyler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Professional judges from Edible Monterey Bay also awarded Best Use of Foraged Ingredients to Chef Pamela Burns of Wild Plum Café for her riff on steak and eggs, a sautee of king trumpets, enoki and porcini with cloves of garlic and soy emulsion over polenta.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
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They might also be saddened that 250 years after declaring independence from a tyrannical British king, the American system of government has arguably less democratic accountability for its leaders than the British one.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruler.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruler. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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