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
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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
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Recent Examples of ruling
Karlee Provenza, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Wednesday’s ruling comes as Wexner faces increasing international scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, who long served as Wexner’s financial advisor.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 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
Dennis Romero, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
McDonald died of a heart attack in 2017, with the city’s medical examiner ruling his death a homicide, stating his demise was caused by complications from the 1986 shooting.
—Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
The ruling establishes that crossing between public land corners without touching private property does not constitute trespass.
—Karlee Provenza, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Wednesday’s ruling comes as Wexner faces increasing international scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, who long served as Wexner’s financial advisor.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 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
Immigration court proceedings are generally not public, and the decision ruling that Öztürk cannot be deported was filed under seal, her lawyers said in their filing.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
McDonald died of a heart attack in 2017, with the city’s medical examiner ruling his death a homicide, stating his demise was caused by complications from the 1986 shooting.
—Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
-
Lai can appeal the verdict and sentence.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
For part of his sentence, he was allowed out to work with the Norwegian Football Federation coaching young players, while wearing an ankle tag.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those choices are political, in a more general sense, and deserve public deliberation, not technocratic decree.—
Annelise Riles,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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As a rule, any multi-hundred-million-dollar renovation or demolition requires deliberate and collaborative effort, rather than a decree.—
E. Andrew Taylor,
The Conversation,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The governing party of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a two-thirds supermajority in a key parliamentary election Sunday, Japanese media reported citing preliminary results, earning a landslide victory thanks to her popularity.—
MARI YAMAGUCHI,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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But soon after that, the International Skating Union (ISU), skating’s worldwide governing body, made the decision to ban backflips from competition due in large part to the high risk of head and neck injuries.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Several students protested the club in December, claiming the program’s outside influence violates a section of the Equal Access Act prohibiting people outside a school from directing conduct, controlling or regularly attending student groups.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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In court and to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Mary Gingles repeatedly reported abusive and controlling behavior by Gingles, including threats to her life, in the months leading up to the murders.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As the verdict was announced, his followers unleashed a wave of fury across Punjab and Haryana.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Their convictions come more than two years after another judge issued a mixed verdict involving other members of Misick’s Progressive National Party government who were accused of similar charges in the archipelago, located about 600 miles south of Florida.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Covid-19 bred doubt about government edicts and skepticism about science, provoking an existential battle for truth.—
Richard Edelman,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
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Trump edicts weigh on stocks this week Geopolitical risks have weighed on investor sentiment this week.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Though framed as a request for information, Levine’s letter signals that Florida’s campaign against accrediting bodies — once focused on general university oversight — is expanding into medicine, one of the most tightly regulated sectors of higher education.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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The second would be how friendly people are along King Drive in general.—
Kynala Phillips,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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