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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ruling
Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 3 July 2025
The court also address other cases implicated by the ruling in the birthright citizenship case, the transgender health care case and others.
—ABC News, 3 July 2025
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
The governor and her husband are both members of the ruling Morena party.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 12 May 2025
Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
However, spring begins on a sour note, as Venus—your ruling planet—will station retrograde in Aries as of March 1.
—Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Noun
Lower court rulings allowed Hecox to try out for the teams, leading to Idaho’s latest appeal.
—Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 3 July 2025
The court also address other cases implicated by the ruling in the birthright citizenship case, the transgender health care case and others.
—ABC News, 3 July 2025
Adjective
Both Sheinbaum and Brugada are prominent members of the ruling Morena party.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
The governor and her husband are both members of the ruling Morena party.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 12 May 2025
Verb
This decision is part of broader litigation challenging the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), with several district courts ruling in favor of the Treasury's position on the CTA's constitutionality.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
However, spring begins on a sour note, as Venus—your ruling planet—will station retrograde in Aries as of March 1.
—Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruling
Noun
-
Could get up to 30 years McBee waived a grand jury indictment and a trial by pleading guilty to one count of federal crop insurance fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.—
Mike Hendricks
July 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 July 2025
-
The guilty counts carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each, but sentencing guidelines could ultimately dictate a 5¼-year maximum, prosecutors have said.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
On August 13, 1953, the Shah, after much lobbying, signed a decree dismissing the Prime Minister.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
9 July 2025
-
Failure to comply with either decree is punishable by a fine of no more than $25.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
The death, in a hospital, was announced by the International Chess Federation, the game’s governing body.—
Dylan Loeb McClain,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Whether your board can discontinue maintenance hinges on the co-op’s governing documents and the approval of any change by the requisite voting interests.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The verdict was a repudiation of the law’s distance from the vernacular of life and real language, of the proceduralism of the legal system.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
3 July 2025
-
Though the verdict is ultimately a win for the defense, Combs' image has been forever changed.—
Sheldon Pearce,
NPR,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Similarly, the May edict only allowed garments to pass through the Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
3 July 2025
-
Advertisement How the Dalai Lama says his successor will be chosen Under the 2011 edict, only the Gaden Phrodrang Trust, the office of the Dalai Lama, can identify the next reincarnation.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Hot 100 is composed using a methodology that blends sales, streams, and radio activity, so the fact that the year-plus-old cut is still performing well enough to live within that competitive region on the general streaming and radio tallies shows that consumption is still high to this day.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
And notably absent was general manager Ken Williams, the architect of the ’05 team who became vice president and was fired in 2023 along with GM Rick Hahn.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Even the bed—a plush, temperature-regulating masterpiece—felt like it had been engineered specifically to cradle you into the best rest of your life.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
30 Dec. 2024
-
The drug may achieve these benefits by regulating cellular growth and metabolism.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Intellectual humility, or open-mindedness, is directly associated with better judgment and decision making, according to research from Duke University. 7.—
Cheri Rainey,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
The plaintiffs want a declaratory judgment that the 2020 comprehensive plan amendment approval and rezoning be voided by the court, according to the lawsuit.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruling. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share