blue law

Definition of blue lawnext

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 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 Connecticut has historically followed what are known as blue laws, which restrict or prohibit certain activities on Sundays. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025 Colby told her followers that the poster was specifically made for racier venues during a time in history when there was a lot of back-and-forth on blue laws or moral codes. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 Banning alcohol sales on Sunday dates back to Prohibition-era blue laws in which religious groups sought to reserve the day for worship. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Aug. 2024 New Jersey has a strong history of upholding its blue laws, but coastal protection has been at the forefront in recent years. Sarah Pulliam Bailey, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blue law
Noun
  • The ‘major questions’ doctrine, a principle way to interpret statutes, prevents Congress from hiding major powers in insignificant laws.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Carter first invoked the statute to resolve the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The township is arguing that state law regarding government employee protections against lawsuits conflicts with federal court rulings.
    Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Scott Venable, lead pastor of Northwood Church in Keller, said the city has never been at risk of being governed by sharia or any other foreign laws.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • No ordinance was passed that declared the bottom 5 percent of Burgher children (later raised to 10) superfluous, but this was the beginning of a long period of economic contraction throughout the empire, and competition for a dwindling supply of guild positions became intense.
    George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Elected leaders give city management direction and OK ordinances, while city staff executes those decisions and drafts policies or proposals for the council to consider.
    Shawn Raymundo, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The lawsuit claims suppression of speech, retaliation, unreasonable seizure, unreasonably prolonged seizure, excessive force, false imprisonment and common law battery.
    Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Officers James Sribniak and Jack Currie are facing assault and common law offenses.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But inside the party’s campaign circles, few doubt that Newsom’s next act is already well underway.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
  • There are also numerous acts looking to win a Grammy for the first time or the first time in a long time.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Since the law’s enactment in 1976, some 90 national emergencies have been declared — more than half of which are still in effect.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The outcry accelerated the enactment in 1938 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which underpins the Food and Drug Administration's current regulation of medicines.
    Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Under martial law, authorities can set curfews, seize property, restrict movement, detain foreigners, forcibly relocate residents and limit public gatherings.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
  • One of the biggest anti-corruption protests was held on a significant date, September 21, when in 1972 Marcos Sr imposed martial law.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Many of these groups, including Nallen Copley’s, have strict ground rules against pitching products and deals and gatekeep against vendors or brokers.
    Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
  • Are Hal and Kate planning to assess and adjust their expectations and ground rules at the six-month or one-year mark?
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blue law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blue%20law. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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