Definition

Having control or authority over something; being the most important or influential.

Example

The ruling party made significant changes to the law.

Conversation

Have you heard about the new ruling policy at work?

Yeah, I think it's going to change a lot of things for us.

I wonder how the ruling team came up with that idea.

It seems like they want to keep things more organized.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A decision made by someone in authority, especially in a legal context, that determines how a situation should be handled.

Example

The judge's ruling was final and could not be appealed.

Conversation

Did you hear about the recent court ruling on that case?

Yeah, it’s been all over the news!

I wonder how that ruling will affect similar cases in the future.

Root Explanation

Ruling → It is formed from "rule" (from Old French *reule*, meaning a prescribed guide for conduct or action) and "-ing" (a suffix used to form nouns indicating an action or process). The word "ruling" refers to the act or process of exercising authority or control.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'rule' as a guide for behavior, and the '-ing' shows it's an ongoing action. This helps you remember that 'ruling' is the process of exercising authority.

Visually Confused Words