as in monarchs
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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Recent Examples of rulers
Singh died in 1839, and the Punjabi throne faced frequent changing of rulers for four years until Duleep Singh, a young boy, and his mother, Rani Jindan were left to take over.
—
Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The ensuing rulers, the Joseon monarchy, did their predecessors one better.
—Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Though such meetings between rulers have been happening for centuries, they have been formalized in the modern era, and contemporary state visits usually follow a predictable pattern.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026
The forts, palaces, gardens, mosques, mausoleums, and even cities that Mughal rulers commissioned reflect their ambition and affluence as much as their tastes and sensibilities.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Apr. 2026
An ancient Turkish name, Aslan was also used as a title for medieval Turkic rulers.
—Lydia Wang, Parents, 12 Apr. 2026
The timetable—two years, five years—will depend in equal measure on what Dubai’s rulers do and on circumstances beyond their control.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 8 Apr. 2026
Part of the Wu kingdom, Shenduntou’s bronze industry was likely responsible (along with famed military advisor Sun Tsu) for the Wu rulers’ successful territorial expansions in the 6th century BC.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
In Hammurabi's ancient Babylon, rulers were already worried about capping interest rates to protect borrowers from exploitation.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The ensuing rulers, the Joseon monarchy, did their predecessors one better.
—Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Though such meetings between rulers have been happening for centuries, they have been formalized in the modern era, and contemporary state visits usually follow a predictable pattern.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026
The forts, palaces, gardens, mosques, mausoleums, and even cities that Mughal rulers commissioned reflect their ambition and affluence as much as their tastes and sensibilities.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Apr. 2026
An ancient Turkish name, Aslan was also used as a title for medieval Turkic rulers.
—Lydia Wang, Parents, 12 Apr. 2026
The timetable—two years, five years—will depend in equal measure on what Dubai’s rulers do and on circumstances beyond their control.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 8 Apr. 2026
Part of the Wu kingdom, Shenduntou’s bronze industry was likely responsible (along with famed military advisor Sun Tsu) for the Wu rulers’ successful territorial expansions in the 6th century BC.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
In Hammurabi's ancient Babylon, rulers were already worried about capping interest rates to protect borrowers from exploitation.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rulers
Noun
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Officials recently unveiled the discovery of an 11th-century wax seal belonging to one of the most influential monarchs in English history.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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Continental Legacy features comforting meals that India’s monarchs would have served their visiting guests from the continent, going from a Velouté de Morilles to an English trifle pudding.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Edward, known for his strong piety, is also distinguished as one of the few English kings to be canonized.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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People too often imagine the Church as having played second fiddle in colonial history, jumping on opportunities opened up by the actions of kings, navigators, and merchants.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The diamond has been previously owned by India's Mughal emperors, shahs of Iran, emirs of Afghanistan, and Sikh maharajas, according to Reuters, citing the Historic Royal Palaces charity.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Instead of Gladiators fighting for our entertainment, the emperors are shadowboxing before an angry populace.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Encouraged and frightened by the events at Naples, other sovereigns granted constitutions.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
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Whatever their precise content, the blessings of liberty allow people to be something like sovereigns over their own lives.—
Cass Sunstein,
Big Think,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rulers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rulers. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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