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
  • Public notice statutes are detailed, structured and precise.
    Tim Regan-Porter, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Raoul’s Statewide Grand Jury Bureau is authorized by state statute to prosecute multi-county cases involving drugs, money laundering, guns or electronics, the release said.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Under Raisi, Iranian security forces cracked down on demonstrations sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in the custody of Iran’s morality police after being arrested for allegedly violating the country’s mandatory hijab laws.
    Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
  • At stake is a federal law that bars people who regularly use marijuana from legally owning guns.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Commissioner Abe Laydon said during the business meeting Tuesday that the ordinance was not meant to punish retailers but to keep the community safe.
    John Aguilar, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The Senate Judiciary committee amended the bill to give local governments the option to pass an ordinance to opt-out of many provisions of the bill and to address increasing construction costs.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Failure to pay child support is a misdemeanor and constructive criminal contempt is a common law crime that is not a felony but also has no maximum penalty.
    Maryland Matters Staff, Baltimore Sun, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Police arrested Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, which is a common law offen se in England, meaning it was established through prior court decisions rather than legislation.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The band still tours regularly and — unlike many ‘80s acts — boasts most of its original members (minus drummer and former lover Jon Moss).
    Blair R. Fischer, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
  • After the news broke Thursday that Paramount had outbid Netflix for the legacy studio, the WGA East and West weighed in via a joint statement on Friday, once again condemning any act of corporate consolidation.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The law’s enactment followed a Supreme Court ruling in 2010 that struck down a 1999 animal cruelty law that was determined to be too broad and a violation of free speech rights.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The Administrative Office of the Courts contracted with Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma to create the Oklahoma Office of Family Representation to manage the program following the enactment of the law in 2023.
    Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • After Trump called for a presidential election in Ukraine, Zelensky signaled readiness for it even though it’s banned under martial law.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Though brief, Yoon’s martial law decree triggered the country’s most severe political crisis in decades, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy and rattling financial markets.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Then coming back for the seventh, Tolle hit another batter and allowed a ground rule double to Marshall Toole, putting men at second and third.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
  • This could be because the leader themselves is emotionally reactive and people are just parroting what is modeled, or because there are no ground rules for conversations and no consequences given for lashing out.
    Blair Glaser, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026

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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 Mar. 2026.

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