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 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
The trans movement can be defeated only if the judiciary will confidently connect the letter of the law to physical reality.
—The Editors, National Review, 4 June 2025
So if Trump’s executive order says his administration won’t enforce the ban, TikTok may place a bet that all of the companies that host and support TikTok’s content will be willing to break the letter of the law with the understanding that they won’t be punished for it.
—David Goldman, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
Georgia's law has led to stories of women in medical peril as doctors try to toe a line between following the letter of the law and delivering critical care.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025
To adhere to the letter of the law, the Trump administration is considering reconstituting that unit and the Office of Women’s Health so that each office would be made up of at least one director or a very small group of employees, the people said.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
That word was mainly reserved for family members, not for lovers, boyfriends, or (in everything but the letter of the law) husbands.
—Mark Harris, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2025
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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
The trans movement can be defeated only if the judiciary will confidently connect the letter of the law to physical reality.
—The Editors, National Review, 4 June 2025
So if Trump’s executive order says his administration won’t enforce the ban, TikTok may place a bet that all of the companies that host and support TikTok’s content will be willing to break the letter of the law with the understanding that they won’t be punished for it.
—David Goldman, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
Georgia's law has led to stories of women in medical peril as doctors try to toe a line between following the letter of the law and delivering critical care.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025
To adhere to the letter of the law, the Trump administration is considering reconstituting that unit and the Office of Women’s Health so that each office would be made up of at least one director or a very small group of employees, the people said.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
That word was mainly reserved for family members, not for lovers, boyfriends, or (in everything but the letter of the law) husbands.
—Mark Harris, Vulture, 9 Apr. 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 1 Jul. 2025.
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