LAWS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

laws

noun

plural of law

as in acts

a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature a record number of laws were passed in that legislative session

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

higher laws

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

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

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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 Wang said her American citizenship was made possible by the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship guarantee and by changes to laws that had restricted Asian immigration. —

Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026 With that in mind, Egbert didn’t share her colleagues’ discomfort with pre-empting local laws. —

Mark Dee march 28, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026 At least 22 states and the District of Columbia have laws or policies granting the in-state benefit, according to the National Immigration Law Center. —

CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026 The third-term congresswoman is facing numerous ethics charges, including failing to follow campaign finance laws; commingling campaign, personal and business funds; and using her position to benefit allies. —

Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2026 Is there a more direct way to close down puppy mills using anti-abuse or breeder licensure laws? —

Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026 Data breaches are becoming increasingly common as age verification laws and government surveillance measures worldwide grow. —

Justyn Newman, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026 Election officials, including some Republicans, have said handing over the information would violate state and federal privacy laws. —

ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026 Mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence laws must ensure that all UK companies take responsibility for the conditions under which their products are made—and that workers have access to remedy when things go wrong. —

Anna Bryher, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws

Noun

Dion will perform multiple shows per week throughout September and October at the 40,000-seat venue, which has previously hosted major acts such as Taylor Swift, the Rolling Stones and Kendrick Lamar.

— Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Though Israel technically has the death penalty on the books as a possible punishment for acts of genocide, espionage during wartime and certain terror offenses, the country hasn’t put anyone to death since Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.

— Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026