What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruling
Example
The Supreme Court issued a ruling on the case yesterday. [ruling: noun]
Example
The governor's ruling on the matter was met with mixed reactions. [ruling: noun]
verdict
Example
The jury reached a verdict after deliberating for several hours. [verdict: noun]
Example
The verdict was in favor of the plaintiff, awarding them damages. [verdict: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Verdict is more commonly used than ruling in legal contexts. Ruling is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, including political and administrative ones.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ruling and verdict?
Both ruling and verdict are formal words used in legal contexts. However, ruling can also be used in political or administrative contexts, making it slightly less formal than verdict, which is exclusively used in legal contexts.