ukase

[ yoo-keys, -keyz, yoo-keys, -keyz ]

noun

1. (in czarist Russia) an edict or order of the czar having the force of law.
2. any order or proclamation by an absolute or arbitrary authority.

   Synonyms: fiat, decree, ruling, directive, edict

ukase

/ juːˈkeɪz /

noun

1. (in imperial Russia) an edict of the tsar
2. a rare word for edict

Word History and Origins

Origin of ukase¹

1720–30; < French < Russian ukáz, Old Russian ukazŭ, noun derivative of ukazati to show, indicate, assign, command, equivalent to u- prefix + kazati to show, order

Word History and Origins

Origin of ukase¹

C18: from Russian ukaz, from ukazat to command

Example Sentences

The restrictions that remain from that March 2020 ukase will wind down in February, at Garcetti’s request and with the council’s vote.

From Los Angeles Times

He then issued a ukase banning tweets promoting several rival social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Mastodon — the latter an increasingly popular refuge for Twitter users repelled by Musk’s management.

From Los Angeles Times

Seven school boards have filed suit to overturn the governor’s ukase, arguing that it violates the state constitution, which vests control of education in school boards.

From Washington Post

No seeking statutory authority, no rulemaking and comment process, just a sudden ukase from on high.

From Washington Post

The first wave of rediscovery had ukases and prohibitions—Alec Wilder wrote off essentially all of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and almost everything self-consciously “jazzy” in Gershwin.

From The New Yorker

Related Words

• act
• announcement
• directive
• edict
• injunction
• instruction
• judgment
• law
• order
• proclamation
• regulation
• rule
• ruling
• statute