blue law

noun

Definition of blue lawnext
as in statute

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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 blue law There were blue laws, but Jewish owners could circumvent that because of their religious holiday on Saturday. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 23 Dec. 2025 But Minnesota is an outlier here, and as was the case with those stubborn Sunday blue laws, sports gambling will eventually win out in Minnesota. — John Shipley, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025 Paramus officials contend that blue laws are only effective when a county chooses to obey them through a citizen referendum. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025 New Jersey’s blue laws initially were far stricter and enforced statewide. — Dave Smith, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blue law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blue law
  1. statute
  2. law
  3. ordinance
  4. common law
  5. act
  6. enactment
  7. martial law
  8. ground rule
Noun
  • Milhiser argued Grayson is still a danger to the public — a factor the PRB may also weigh, under statute.
    — Jerry Nowicki, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • What this effort points to is the need for a federal right of publicity statute, like the languishing NO FAKES bill.
    — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of statute
Noun
  • Taken together, these state laws are building a national regime by accumulation, which is precisely the outcome the industry's federal lobbying push is trying to preempt.
    — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Videos on Iranian social media showed many women at the cafes flouting mandatory veiling laws, and crowds mixing freely.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • When the Miami commission approved the unlawful ordinance last summer, the change went into effect immediately.
    — Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • City repairs Last week, the City Council approved an ordinance that directs City Manager Mario Vasquez to address issues at the apartment buildings.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of ordinance
Noun
  • Its roots include English common law dating back to the 17th century.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • The 19-year-old Mocksville man was charged with felony common law damage to real property for allegedly putting soap into the fountain, and littering for leaving behind the plastic bucket, officials said.
    — Mark Price July 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
Definition of common law
Noun
  • Burnham was mayor of Greater Manchester before vaulting back into national politics, and one of his first acts was to set up a branch office in the city.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In October 2025, Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child and was sentenced to six months in the Osage County, Oklahoma, jail.
    — Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of act
Noun
  • Many discussion drafts undergo substantial revision or never reach enactment.
    — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In 1956, following the enactment of the States Reorganisation Act (1956), the region was divided between Mysore state (renamed Karnataka in 1973) and Kerala.
    — Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of enactment
Noun
  • Quarantine orders are met with wholesale insubordination, and the government begins to ratchet its way to full martial law.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026
  • To some lawmakers and analysts, the episode demonstrated that democracy and accountability are alive in Ukraine despite martial law and the suspension of elections.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of martial law
Noun
  • New York state set a one-year pause on building AI data centers to establish some ground rules.
    — Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 23 July 2026
  • Tips for Getting Along With Your In-Laws Some in-laws are harder to deal with than others, and some are flat-out impossible, but experts agree that most relationships can flourish when certain ground rules apply.
    — Margaret Renkl, Parents, 23 July 2026
Definition of ground rule

Browse Nearby Words

blue jeans
blue law
blue laws
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Cite this Entry

“Blue law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blue%20law. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on blue law

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blue law

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