the letter of the law
noun phrase
: exactly what the law says
They seem to be more concerned with obeying the letter of the law than with understanding the spirit of the law.
Examples of the letter of the law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The chief executive certainly seems to care less about the letter of the law and the orders of judges this time around, though these will still slap him down.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2025
Georgia's law has led to stories of women in medical peril as doctors try to follow the letter of the law and deliver critical care.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Our design and policies follow the letter of the law, the most important of which is enshrined in the Constitution, the First Amendment, while standing firmly on the side of human dignity.
8.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
By the letter of the law, the game could have been paused for a head injury — Snerle had to be substituted soon after.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Sometimes this will be due to the letter of the law, other times as a courtesy extended by a financial institution.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 May 2025
The decision today means federal courts can't grant universal injunctions based on fairness, justice, and principles of equity, rather than the letter of the law, says Bray.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 27 June 2025
Instead of calling Dunn safe by the letter of the law, Porter’s crew went by the spirit of the law — a courtesy the crew didn’t extend to Callihan.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Of course, not everyone who follows the letter of the law embraces its spirit.
—Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2025
Georgia's law has led to stories of women in medical peril as doctors try to follow the letter of the law and deliver critical care.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Our design and policies follow the letter of the law, the most important of which is enshrined in the Constitution, the First Amendment, while standing firmly on the side of human dignity.
8.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
By the letter of the law, the game could have been paused for a head injury — Snerle had to be substituted soon after.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Sometimes this will be due to the letter of the law, other times as a courtesy extended by a financial institution.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 May 2025
The decision today means federal courts can't grant universal injunctions based on fairness, justice, and principles of equity, rather than the letter of the law, says Bray.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 27 June 2025
Instead of calling Dunn safe by the letter of the law, Porter’s crew went by the spirit of the law — a courtesy the crew didn’t extend to Callihan.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Of course, not everyone who follows the letter of the law embraces its spirit.
—Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“The letter of the law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20letter%20of%20the%20law. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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