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 Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines while in the Legislature for leading California’s efforts to enact strict school vaccine laws. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 The president and his allies have insisted that existing liability laws offer enough protections. — Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026 Groups that are pushing for data center expansion and industry-friendly laws have plenty of money and resources, plus their own complicated financial ties to the AI and tech companies themselves. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The former lawmaker urged Arizona's attorney general to review state laws to determine whether investigators could use familial DNA in their efforts to find Feldman's killer. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 State investigators, in that January hearing, found probable cause that Castro violated state ethics laws while conducting business in the Gables. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Excessive regulations and overly stringent environmental laws make construction difficult, reducing supply and making homes too costly for most Californians. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026 Fortson’s family has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, and the case renewed debate over deadly force and Florida’s self-defense laws. — Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 The same statute says the state board is responsible for ensuring local school boards comply with state laws and regulations. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
  • At least 24 schools were hit by acts of vandalism or arson, Education Minister Édouard Geffray said over the weekend.
    — Ellen Francis, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The group said the channel no longer draws from the wider pool of 800-plus comedians and instead rotates a narrower roster of comics each month, with more than 75 percent of plays going to the top 50 artists and bigger celebrity acts.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • First Amendment experts say the dress policy draft’s language is too vague, and application of the rules for religious head coverings could run afoul of both the federal and state constitutions.
    — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Setting up a new country During the Revolutionary War’s six years of fighting, individual states wrote their own constitutions, which set up how their governments would work.
    — Sandra Slater, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with preparation of acts of terrorism between May 2024 and July 2026, including against Nigel Farage, the leader of the populist Reform UK party, according to British police and prosecutors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Anyone with information that may help police find the youth’s family may call 816-234-5150 or 911.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Furr, who leaves office in November, joined Commissioner Nan Rich in voting against both ordinances.
    — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Mother nature intended these to work together, but ordinances et al treat them as independent.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Bump codes can help identify complex patients and ensure hospitals are paid more for caring for them.
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Medical bills are often impenetrable documents littered with complex codes and terminology, and sorting through charges and details about insurance coverage can feel intimidating, if not downright paralyzing.
    — Jennifer Schlinger, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Some defendants face additional allegations involving false claims of citizenship or fraudulent statements that rest on separate federal statutes.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In a complaint, multiple plaintiffs alleged user data from CVS digital properties was sold to advertising technology company Criteo in violation of the Federal Wiretap Act, the California Invasion of Privacy Act and other statutes.
    — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The veto came on the last day Newsom could sign or reject bills that passed this year.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Homeowners shouldn’t get stuck with higher electricity bills while data centers get tax breaks.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • At its meeting in September, the zoning commission approved amendments to Panther Island zoning codes that reflect the new Panther Island plan unveiled in 2024.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The amendments outline shifts in whistleblower award processing and regulatory reporting requirements.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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