laws

Definition of lawsnext
plural of law
1
2
as in constitutions
a collection or system of rules of conduct it's important to obey the law at all times, or else you might end up in jail

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in police
the department of government that keeps order, fights crime, and enforces statutes a petty thief who had somehow managed to avoid the law for most of his life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of laws Denmark plans tougher deportation laws COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark unveiled a legal reform on Friday allowing foreigners who have been sentenced to at least one year of unconditional imprisonment for serious crimes to be deported. Arkansas Online, 31 Jan. 2026 Advocate has steadily increased starting hourly pay since 2022, with annual raises often double the requirements of local minimum wage laws. Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026 Federal preemption legislation would establish uniform national standards for AI systems while preserving states’ ability to enforce general consumer protection laws. James Richardson, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026 The Maryland man is tentatively set to proceed to trial charged with causing the healthcare executive’s death under two federal stalking laws. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026 Some states have passed presumptive PTSD laws for first responders, recognizing psychological injuries as work-related. Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 The case looks at whether state laws allowing the counting of mail ballots postmarked by Election Day but received afterward violate federal law. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026 Del Pozo said the mandates in place that stipulate who can be notified under confidentiality laws when a psychiatric patient is discharged are very clear. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026 States like Florida, Georgia and Alabama share similar laws. Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
  • In between acts, there was a dance intermission featuring background dancers, including a solo female dancer performing a contemporary piece, before the stage opened to a full dance performance.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The two acts drew a crowd of about 13,000 to the former Xcel Energy Center in August 2023.
    Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The larger point here is that the new justice and the governor are strong advocates of literalism and originalism — legal doctrines holding that constitutions and laws should be read precisely as the authors wrote and understood them.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Most of Mamdani’s predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text.
    Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Since last summer, police in Northern California have been investigating a hidden camera found in a public bathroom at a Kaiser Medical Center in Vallejo.
    Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • According to Sutton, federal agents are now being pushed into volatile crowd-control roles without proper training or coordination because local police have been ordered to stand down.
    Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In her introduction of the ordinances, Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas drew a direct tie between the ordinances and the violence in Minneapolis, where ICE agents have killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old poet and mother of three, and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Affairs ICU nurse.
    Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
  • No federal permit is required to have the exotic pet; however, local ordinances can prohibit such ownership.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • About 87% of Connecticut ZIP codes meet that criteria, according to a CNBC analysis of Census Bureau data.
    Jessica Dickler,Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Curated by Blazy, who was named the creative director for the maison in 2024 following the departure of Virginie Viard, the collection signaled a new chapter for Chanel, and a fresh take on the French luxury fashion house’s design codes.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The state legislature subsequently enacted statutes adopting the ABC test with exceptions.
    Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Courts have almost universally blocked these attempts as violating the underlying statutes establishing the federal programs.
    Ronald Brownstein, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The employee, whose name was blacked out, said some of his duties were fanning $100 bills on a table near Epstein’s bed, placing a gun between the mattresses in his bedroom and cleaning up after Epstein’s frequent massages with young girls, including disposing of used condoms.
    Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The House then grouped the bills together to send them to the Senate, a move that was meant to clear the way for swift passage.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Lawmakers tore up agenda papers and scuffled Wednesday over constitutional amendments opposition claims would extend parliament’s mandate, which expires in April.
    Omar Faruk, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • In October, the city’s infrastructure and growth committee discussed possible amendments to zoning requirements for liquor, package, and smoke shops, in addition to pawn shops and some new language in the zoning code for bars and restaurants.
    Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on laws

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!