: an official or authoritative decision, decree, statement, or interpretation (as by a judge on a point of law)
1
a
: exerting power or authority
the ruling party
b
: chief, predominating
a ruling passion
2
: generally prevailing
the ruling prices
Synonyms of ruling
Examples of ruling in a Sentence
Noun The decision overturns the Supreme Court's earlier ruling. She disputed the referee's ruling. Adjective members of the ruling class the ruling opinion on premarital sex
Recent Examples on the Web
Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026 In his ruling, Judge Maurice Leiter said Svetnoy put forward adequate evidence that Baldwin had some level of control over the film’s budget, cast, crew, and day-to-day operations. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026 This vibe continues to be brought to you courtesy of your co-ruling planet, rebellious Uranus, moving into your fifth house of self-expression on April 25, empowering you to lean fully into your penchant for unconventionality and incorporating the element of surprise in your personal style. —Maressa Brown, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ruling
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.
Noun
Erik Duran was granted $300,000 bail by a state appeals court in a ruling on Friday, the New York Post reported. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026 In his ruling, Judge Maurice Leiter said Svetnoy put forward adequate evidence that Baldwin had some level of control over the film’s budget, cast, crew, and day-to-day operations. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The latest polls indicate that Orbán, a key international ally of President Trump, and his ruling Fidesz party are trailing the opposition center-right Tisza Party and its leader Péter Magyar in an election that will be closely watched by observers on both sides of the Atlantic. —Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026 This vibe continues to be brought to you courtesy of your co-ruling planet, rebellious Uranus, moving into your fifth house of self-expression on April 25, empowering you to lean fully into your penchant for unconventionality and incorporating the element of surprise in your personal style. —Maressa Brown, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ruling
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/ruling. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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