laws

Definition of lawsnext
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 Similar laws are on the books in Europe, and there’s no evidence that prices have gone up because of them. Justin Sanchez, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026 In addition, this legislation could provide leaders with protection on state laws pertaining to NIL, which has led to lawsuits and a plethora of disagreements. Trey Wallace, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 Musk alleged that the deal integrating ChatGPT into Apple products violated antitrust and unfair competition laws, supposedly propping up OpenAI to dominate the chatbot market and Apple the smartphone market. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026 Steyer spokesperson Kevin Liao said the campaign requires creators to follow all disclosure laws when contracting with the campaign and discloses payments in campaign filings. Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026 Their owners used to claim a loophole in the state’s gambling laws. Jeff A. Chamer may 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026 Her organization is part of a broader coalition, Eyes on OpenAI, that last year urged California Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate OpenAI’s restructuring for its compliance with laws governing nonprofit organizations. David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026 Democrats' appeal to the Supreme Court was a legal longshot because the justices typically defer to state courts when interpreting state laws. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 15 May 2026 Expect dozens of comprehensive laws within the next two years. Chai Outmezguine, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
  • Dropping your underwear to flash people and commit lewd acts in front of them is criminal.
    Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
  • In 2025, there were 53 law enforcement officers killed in felony acts, and all but 10 of them died from gunshot wounds.
    Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • The Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing state courts' interpretations of their own constitutions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 May 2026
  • The Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing state courts’ interpretations of their own constitutions.
    Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Before troopers fired at Williams, she was told numerous times by police to drop the gun, according to the report and footage of the incident.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
  • Ryan said the incident began after Boston police alerted authorities about a man acting erratically who was believed to be armed with a rifle.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Alvarez asked what ordinances might apply.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
  • Its future is unclear, though, because state preemption laws prevent cities from creating their own gun ordinances.
    Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • The 2024 election law addresses matters such as the use of QR codes when tallying ballots, voting for the state’s homeless population, rules surrounding the counting of absentee ballots, and third-party candidates on the state’s future presidential election ballots.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026
  • The groups called for a moratorium on new data center development in order to allow local governments more time to adopt policies, investigate new zoning codes and hear community input.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • The courts appear unwilling to let the president use broad emergency statutes to impose sweeping tariffs without clearer congressional authorization.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
  • In addition to contending federal law overrides state statutes like the sanctuary law, the institute is taking a novel legal tack, according to Alex Riggins of the Union-Tribune.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • That extra work drives up electricity bills and pressures the unit to overperform.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026
  • For many corporate leaders, energy risk means just higher fuel and electricity bills.
    Victor Nian, Fortune, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Voters have final authority over all charter amendments.
    Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
  • Kelly confirmed to Councilwoman Nina Ahmad at Tuesday's hearing that any changes or amendments to autonomous vehicle allowances in Philadelphia would have to move through the state.
    Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 13 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on laws

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster