RULED Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

ruled

verb

past tense of rule

as in governed

to exercise authority or power over a sea captain who ruled his ship sternly but justly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in controlled

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) a monarch who is known for ruling her emotions with an iron hand

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 ruled The Department of Justice had argued Google could not be trusted to run the online advertising exchange after Brinkema ruled that Google had illegally quashed competition. — Jody Godoy, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Federal judges in Massachusetts and California have ruled these deportations to be unconstitutional. — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026 Powell then reiterated that the court had already ruled in a previous case that the new map would not be in effect if the referendum was certified for the ballot. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 The men eventually landed in Malabo, the port city capital of Equatorial Guinea, the west African country that has been ruled by the same family dictatorship for nearly six decades. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 He was ruled incompetent to stand trial, and the case was later dismissed. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Blake Lively can recover about $400,000 in attorneys’ fees from Justin Baldoni’s production company over his defamation lawsuit against her, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. — Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 Her death was ruled an accidental overdose involving multiple prescription drugs. — Imani Sumbi, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026 Japan has been ruled by several empresses throughout history. — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruled

Verb

The bare lot covers about two-thirds of an acre in an area governed by the Barber Valley Specific Plan, which designates it for offices or commercial space.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026
Ethical challenges Academic research on human subjects is governed by a framework built largely in response to past medical and psychological research abuses.

— Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of governed

Verb

How effectively such systems can be controlled, sustained, and employed alongside soldiers will determine whether this unusual configuration becomes a recurring feature of future armored warfare.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
These vehicles have functions and features that can be updated and controlled by software, rather than the mechanics of hardware.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of controlled

Verb

The glove contained a small bag of cocaine and Adderall, the document said.

— Ava Kelley, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
During the encounter, Molano was allowed to contact another person to take possession of the vehicle, which still contained the cinnamon rolls and their storage containers, Fortune said.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of contained

Verb

Hobart, Indiana, officers curbed the car and turned it over to Evergreen Park officers, police said.

— Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
That’s particularly important this year as the wildfire has curbed tourism following a tough winter marred by drought, Ducharme said.

— Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026

Definition of curbed

Verb

Production was kept under wraps entirely; Cohen reportedly showed up in character at Wimbledon this year without tipping off the film’s existence.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2026
The 10-play scoring drive was possible in part because of a 17-yard pass from Hyppolite to Ty Hayes on fourth and 5 that kept the possession alive and moved them into the red zone.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of kept

Verb

Amid these organic forms, the material palette is restrained.

— Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
Closing arguments Prosecutors argued throughout the case that Fatherley unlawfully restrained Adair by continuing to kneel on his back — and in the testimony of one deputy, pushed Adair’s head down — even after Adair began to comply with deputies.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrained

Verb

However, the report noted that the gap remains substantially wider when measured by value.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
The rise lifted some components of the index into overbought territory, as measured by the relative strength index (RSI), a momentum indicator that tracks the speed and size of price changes.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of measured

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rule

ruled

ruled (on)

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“Ruled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruled. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ruled

verb

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