the spirit of the law
noun phrase
: the aim or purpose of a law when it was written
They seem to be more concerned with obeying the letter of the law than with understanding the spirit of the law.
Examples of the spirit of the law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2022, a federal watchdog determined that, by sending more funding for clean water and sanitation to Jordan than any other nation, the U.S. was subverting the spirit of the law.
—
Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Granof agreed, saying the federal relief dollars were meant for one-time expenses, not ongoing operations, and using them for continuing homelessness programs ran counter to the spirit of the law.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 4 Nov. 2025
The mattress saleswoman Mare and Ned deal with doesn’t have the power to make the company honor the spirit of the law.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
It has long been recognized that a democracy can only survive if all major players abide not only by the letter, but also by the spirit of the law.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2025
All Floridians should raise theirs until law enforcement and the state’s top lawyer abide by both the letter and the spirit of the law.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2025
Others claimed that supporting the creation of the two districts on the East Side goes against the spirit of the law that set Gilroy’s districting process in motion.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 21 May 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
The most important such assumption is that a person of good judgment will know when to disregard the letter of the law in order to honor the spirit of the law.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 May 2016
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Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Granof agreed, saying the federal relief dollars were meant for one-time expenses, not ongoing operations, and using them for continuing homelessness programs ran counter to the spirit of the law.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 4 Nov. 2025
The mattress saleswoman Mare and Ned deal with doesn’t have the power to make the company honor the spirit of the law.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
It has long been recognized that a democracy can only survive if all major players abide not only by the letter, but also by the spirit of the law.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2025
All Floridians should raise theirs until law enforcement and the state’s top lawyer abide by both the letter and the spirit of the law.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2025
Others claimed that supporting the creation of the two districts on the East Side goes against the spirit of the law that set Gilroy’s districting process in motion.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 21 May 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
The most important such assumption is that a person of good judgment will know when to disregard the letter of the law in order to honor the spirit of the law.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 May 2016
Cite this Entry
“The spirit of the law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20spirit%20of%20the%20law. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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