1
as in sentences
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 decrees
an order publicly issued by an authority
the FCC's ruling regarding the broadcasting of obscenities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 rulings
Kraut said, discussing the lack of Supreme Court rulings on key Second Amendment issues.
—
Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
Certain scorers stick to the official rulings on hits and errors; others make their own calls.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Many are held in custody for years before their trial, facing blanket rulings from unknown judges.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 23 Apr. 2026
But final rulings are still a few months out as the judge needs to decide who gets paid back first, and the land still needs to be sold.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Most of the court’s rulings and orders in cases on the emergency docket go without explanation.
—Wayne Unger, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
The women’s rulings are among the latest in a series of punishments issued amid a broader government crackdown on dissent.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase was impeached by the House in 1804 for allegedly making biased, politically motivated rulings against supporters of then-President Thomas Jefferson.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court took up the question of whether to pause those rulings, and at oral arguments earlier this year, the high court appeared likely to let Cook keep her position for the time being.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
Certain scorers stick to the official rulings on hits and errors; others make their own calls.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Many are held in custody for years before their trial, facing blanket rulings from unknown judges.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 23 Apr. 2026
But final rulings are still a few months out as the judge needs to decide who gets paid back first, and the land still needs to be sold.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Most of the court’s rulings and orders in cases on the emergency docket go without explanation.
—Wayne Unger, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
The women’s rulings are among the latest in a series of punishments issued amid a broader government crackdown on dissent.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase was impeached by the House in 1804 for allegedly making biased, politically motivated rulings against supporters of then-President Thomas Jefferson.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026
The Supreme Court took up the question of whether to pause those rulings, and at oral arguments earlier this year, the high court appeared likely to let Cook keep her position for the time being.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rulings
Noun
-
These noteworthy prosecutions, often built under racketeering or similar statutes, are resource-intensive, multiyear undertakings that culminate in sweeping indictments, dramatic news conferences and lengthy sentences.—
Andrew S. Boutros,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Arrests for drug offenses can result in being held without charge indefinitely and lengthy prison sentences if convicted.—
Lucas Lilieholm,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Under Díaz-Canel, the Cuban government has passed several laws and decrees to punish the sharing of opposition views, including on social media.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, the president governs by executive orders, emergency decrees, and extortionate transactions, using his power to reward his friends and punish his enemies.—
Gregg Nunziata,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Preliminary findings indicate speed and aggressive or reckless driving may have contributed to the crash.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers say the findings could have broader implications for science, including studies on how cells resist damage from ice crystals and radiation over time.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While many edicts are necessary to protect public safety, many more are redundant, wasteful and anti-competitive, piling on unnecessary costs and stymieing innovation.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
18 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
Noun
-
Both were stone-faced when the jury’s verdicts were read, but afterward Rivera walked over to Nuhfer and gave her a hug at the defense table.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
But, today was not a day for verdicts or vindication.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Playoff series are the epitome of small sample sizes, which is why making sport-changing decisions based on those outcomes makes little sense.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Take a pause before making decisions.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Judges have long deferred to the Food and Drug Administration’s judgments on the safety and appropriate regulation of drugs.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Judges have long deferred to the agency’s judgments on the safety and appropriate regulation of drugs.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The office also handles business registrations, oversees the state archives and runs a potpourri of other state programs, like commissioning notaries public and maintaining a registry for advance care directives.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Bass has previously announced directives regarding strategic LAPD deployment, including in March after a brawl broke out in connection to a street takeover near upscale apartments in downtown.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rulings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rulings. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
