laws

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 California voters have twice rejected ballot measures to abolish the death penalty, first in 2012 and again in 2016, and Newsom’s decision overrides the will of the courts and state laws that permit capital punishment. — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026 Speaking in Spanish, Leo emphasized the importance of protecting family life and delivered a pointed criticism of both laws. — Carrie Kahn, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026 In many cases, state laws and policies become the blueprints for federal laws. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026 For the first half of the episode, our pals at Price, Siffre & Associates are helping an East Coast firm with a class action lawsuit against WorkSource, an AI training company that has been skirting labor laws and mistreating their contractors. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026 Due to censorship laws in Middle East, Variety hears that the scene in question — not critical but the source of much chatter — will have to be cut for it to be released. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026 Continue reading … STREET SHOWDOWN — ICE chief rips NYC sanctuary laws after agents tackle criminal migrants on streets. — FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026 And this year, Georgia--with its draconian voting suppression laws--is breaking all kinds of voting records. — Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026 But these laws may not apply to federally regulated prediction markets. — Melissa Lee,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
  • At one point, Two Shell were one of the most exciting acts in underground dance music.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In David’s 1996 novel Absolute Power, an American president presumes himself to be above the rule of law and seeks to force his underlings to commit criminal acts that will benefit him.
    — David Baldacci, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Its work included helping to rewrite the constitutions of these countries, reform court systems, and adopt democratic rule of law principles.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Noncitizens are not eligible under federal law to vote in elections, but most states do not explicitly state this mandate in their constitutions or laws.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Despite a one-time $75 billion infusion from Congress, ICE remains heavily dependent on local police to find people subject to deportation and turn them over.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Over the past four weeks, London’s Southwark Crown Court was told that the 2023 reporting was the catalyst for six women making police complaints against Brand, four of which resulted in convictions on Thursday.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • In Arizona, voters passed a measure banning the state from installing and using photo enforcement systems (like speed and red-light cameras) to catch people who violate certain traffic ordinances.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Instead, temples are sacred places reserved for special ordinances.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The job involves installing new wiring, which must meet the local building codes and often requires trenching to run the line to its location.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Developers are required to meet all technical requirements and local regulations, including setbacks, building codes, environmental impacts and stormwater management reviews.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The prosecutor's conclusion differed from an Agriculture Department investigator's assessment that Garner had violated criminal statutes, according to the report.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • However, statutes sometimes allow courts to shift fees to the losing party.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Claude can also flag unusual transactions, duplicate charges, unexpected fees and bills that have gradually increased.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Democrats won legislative trifectas big enough to pass progressive bills that had gathered dust and lint under Republican control.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Here’s how Florida voters weighed in on the other two amendments on the ballot.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Florida voters are additionally deciding three constitutional amendments, including a proposal addressing property taxes.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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