1
as in sentence
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 decree
an order publicly issued by an authority
the FCC's ruling regarding the broadcasting of obscenities
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in prevailing
held by or applicable to a majority of the people
the ruling opinion on premarital sex
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in governing
to exercise authority or power over
a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in controlling
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
a monarch who is known for ruling her emotions with an iron hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of ruling
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 1 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in early summer.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
But opponents saw the move as an attempt by López Obrador to strengthen the power of his ruling Morena party by overhauling the very judiciary that often blocked some of his policy proposals.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
This tale follows three women — influential Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), and half sisters Agnes and Daisy — as the ruling theocratic regime crumbles.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
Tuesday's ruling reinstates the immigration status of those who came via CBP One and whose status was terminated.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 1 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in early summer.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Critics argue the measures target urban, educated, and affluent voters who may not support the ruling Fidesz party.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
But opponents saw the move as an attempt by López Obrador to strengthen the power of his ruling Morena party by overhauling the very judiciary that often blocked some of his policy proposals.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Verb
Li Rui, a senior member of China’s ruling Communist Party, became Mao’s personal secretary in 1958.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
This tale follows three women — influential Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), and half sisters Agnes and Daisy — as the ruling theocratic regime crumbles.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
-
But the spokesperson stated that the DA's prosecutors suggested a sentence of five years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Alaniz Pineda addressed the court before receiving his sentence.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The parties reached a settlement requiring Live Nation to pay enforcement costs and extending the decree by five and a half years to 2025.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Emancipation for Black Americans did not come through a single divine decree.—
Jesse Jackson Jr,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.—
Betsy Golden Kellem,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brilliant, strong, visionary, a far different approach to governing as that nation’s first woman leader.—
Kevin Powell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Despite these risks, the five-year plans governing the expensive and time-consuming cleanups at the sites often failed to account for damage posed by flooding from sea-level rise and more frequent storms and wildfire, the IG’s review found.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the website isn’t full of articles about how the earth is flat or how aliens are controlling our government.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Analyses show the experiment succeeded at expanding access and controlling costs without bankrupting health systems or pharmaceutical firms.—
Michael Rose,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Later on Wednesday, the jury came back and agreed on the verdict.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
These verdicts are consequential for the damages awarded and what the evidence reveals about intent.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But that edict died with him, Vaez said.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Like most of her peers, Agnes follows her country’s various repressive edicts directed toward young women.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As part of a two-question ballot measure, the Hickman Mills School District is asking voters to approve a general obligation bond to pay down the district’s debt.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But there is some risk the city will need to increase its general fund contribution in the new fiscal year because there are expected to be cuts to state funding.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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