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Synonyms

ruling

American  
[roo-ling] / ˈru lɪŋ /

noun

  1. an authoritative decision, as one by a judge on a debated point of law.

  2. the act of drawing straight lines with a ruler.

  3. ruled lines.


adjective

  1. governing or dominating.

    the ruling party.

  2. controlling; predominating.

    the ruling factor in recovery from an illness.

  3. widespread; prevalent.

    ruling prices; ruling values.

ruling British  
/ ˈruːlɪŋ /

noun

  1. a decision of someone in authority, such as a judge

  2. one or more parallel ruled lines

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. controlling or exercising authority

    the ruling classes

  2. prevalent or predominant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonruling noun

Etymology

Origin of ruling

1175–1225; Middle English (gerund); rule, -ing 1, -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Federal and state law as well as court rulings require the state to provide adequate medical and mental health care.

From Los Angeles Times

Lopez has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and continued to do so even after the ruling.

From Los Angeles Times

In a pair of 2024 rulings, McCormick invalidated the 2018 package, which once loomed as historically large but have since been eclipsed by the tech tycoon's most recent Tesla package.

From Barron's

The Delaware Supreme Court’s ruling officially restores to Musk the stock options, which are currently worth some $138 billion.

From Barron's

The Delaware Supreme Court’s ruling officially restores to Musk the stock options, which are currently worth some $138 billion.

From Barron's