COMMON-LAW Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

common law

noun

Definition of common law

as in martial law

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

higher law

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 common law 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 Historical roots As Roberts’ majority opinion demonstrates, the definition of citizenship that Americans inherited from Britain and the common law included everyone born in a place where the king’s dominion extended. — Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 This British common law rule of broad citizenship shaped the discussion in the key case of Wong Kim Ark in 1898. — Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 The Law Commission has argued that the common law is sufficiently flexible to recognise a distinct category of personal property capable of accommodating crypto-tokens and other digital assets and has recommended legislation to remove any uncertainty. — Susie Violet Ward, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for common law

Recent Examples of Synonyms for common law

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

The Bankruptcy Court noted that the bankruptcy statutes do not define who is a beneficiary and that the issue would be determined by Arizona state law.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The statute states that refreshments or food with a value up to $5 consumed on the premises of a public or private gathering is exempt.

— Aki Nace, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026