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
There are caveats, of course — America’s gun laws are anything but consistent — but most 3D-printing gunsmiths operate within the letter of the law, carefully walking lines and navigating legal gray areas where applicable.
—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
Yet, like the work requirements, CMS’s overhaul goes far beyond the letter of the law by eventually cutting off a mechanism through which some 70% of those dollars flow, explains Leonardo Cuello, an expert on Medicaid policy at Georgetown University.
—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
Officials also could argue they don’t need to comply with the letter of the law.
—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
And that their leaders see not just the letter of the law, but the reality on the ground.
—
Elliot Cosgrove,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Many of them described a changing court system where the idea and process of seeking asylum was being stood on its head and judges’ ability to rule based on the letter of the law was being tested by a slew of directives from the new administration.
—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Like people are trying their best to follow the letter of the law or the exact wording of these orders without completely outing their trans sailors.
—
Lauren Hodges,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
If someone is a violent criminal or committed a crime, then by all means, go ahead and follow the letter of the law.
—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
But learning the letter of the law has its limits, legal rights experts have noted, if law enforcement officers do not follow the law.
—
Heidi Reynolds-Stenson,
The Conversation,
29 Jan. 2026
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Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
Yet, like the work requirements, CMS’s overhaul goes far beyond the letter of the law by eventually cutting off a mechanism through which some 70% of those dollars flow, explains Leonardo Cuello, an expert on Medicaid policy at Georgetown University.
—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
Officials also could argue they don’t need to comply with the letter of the law.
—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
And that their leaders see not just the letter of the law, but the reality on the ground.
—
Elliot Cosgrove,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Many of them described a changing court system where the idea and process of seeking asylum was being stood on its head and judges’ ability to rule based on the letter of the law was being tested by a slew of directives from the new administration.
—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Like people are trying their best to follow the letter of the law or the exact wording of these orders without completely outing their trans sailors.
—
Lauren Hodges,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
If someone is a violent criminal or committed a crime, then by all means, go ahead and follow the letter of the law.
—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
But learning the letter of the law has its limits, legal rights experts have noted, if law enforcement officers do not follow the law.
—
Heidi Reynolds-Stenson,
The Conversation,
29 Jan. 2026
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 27 Jun. 2026.
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