international law

noun

: a body of rules that control or affect the rights of nations in their relations with each other

Examples of international law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Democrats insisted the survivors were helpless and should have been rescued to comply with international laws that call for either sides in a conflict to help combatants who fall overboard or are shipwrecked. —Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2025

The illegality of Russia’s invasion means that such countermeasures are likely permissible under international law. —Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025

Some lawyers and international law experts have said killing these survivors amounts to a war crime. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025

Shadow vessels could be hard to track; interceptions risk oil spills or violations of international law; and political leaders are always fearful that attempts to squeeze an adversary’s oil revenue can backfire by raising energy prices at home. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for international law

• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada
• esau

Legal Definition

international law

noun

: a body of laws, rules, or legal principles that are based on custom, treaties, or legislation and that control or affect the rights and duties of nations in relation to each other compare internal law