1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of laws
Straight men, in particular, are only talked about, kept in the background, or appearing as authority figures trying to uphold absurd laws and traditions.
—
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Often, competitive incentives offered by state governments, state laws that are less friendly to labor unions than many northern states and access to major transportation networks are among the reasons behind the industry’s rise in the South.
—Brian Moody, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
There may be room for work in the area of repealing legislation rather than enacting new laws to help increase the access to the health care system.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
But most of the new entrants, such as Intrade and Tradesports, have floundered after running afoul of federal regulators and federal laws prohibiting internet and sports gambling.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Goldman Sachs requires its employees to get preapproval before receiving or giving gifts from clients, according to the company’s code of conduct, partly in order to not run afoul of anti-bribery laws.
—Ken Sweet, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Under sentencing laws in place at the time of the crime, Modrowski was eligible for day-for-day credit, allowing for his release days later.
—Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Lifetouch follows all applicable federal, state, and local data privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
While that is the standard that would be considered in a civil case, local investigators are also looking into whether any state laws were violated.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Often, competitive incentives offered by state governments, state laws that are less friendly to labor unions than many northern states and access to major transportation networks are among the reasons behind the industry’s rise in the South.
—Brian Moody, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
There may be room for work in the area of repealing legislation rather than enacting new laws to help increase the access to the health care system.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
But most of the new entrants, such as Intrade and Tradesports, have floundered after running afoul of federal regulators and federal laws prohibiting internet and sports gambling.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Goldman Sachs requires its employees to get preapproval before receiving or giving gifts from clients, according to the company’s code of conduct, partly in order to not run afoul of anti-bribery laws.
—Ken Sweet, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Under sentencing laws in place at the time of the crime, Modrowski was eligible for day-for-day credit, allowing for his release days later.
—Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Lifetouch follows all applicable federal, state, and local data privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
While that is the standard that would be considered in a civil case, local investigators are also looking into whether any state laws were violated.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
-
Enriched with squalane, urea, and ceramides, this barrier-protecting formula acts as a protective shield, while keeping my skin ultra-hydrated.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Plus, shifts in attitude toward police are not always about single acts but about the weight of national controversies placed on their shoulders, Cross pointed out.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
During the same time, progressive states were adopting constitutions holding government systems directly accountable to voters.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Thirty-seven states have Blaine Amendments in their constitutions.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some people taking part in recent walkouts and demonstrations have encountered police skirmish lines, arrests.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Choudri’s attorney told The Times that police were called to Choudri’s home by a third-party and that prosecutors did not file charges in the case.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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County officials say the goal is to keep plastic out of the environment and align Placer County with similar ordinances already in place in the Town of Truckee and the City of South Lake Tahoe.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, residents have staged large protests as some local and state officials drafted ordinances and legislation seeking to block the detention centers.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Also slashed was $4 million that had been awarded to California under the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) program, which supports new energy efficient building codes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Permitting rules and building codes can also be a barrier.—
Vanessa Bates Ramirez,
Scientific American,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those federal statutes are enforceable through the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which directs courts to set aside agency actions when they are taken without observance of procedural requirements and in abuse of agency discretion.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
All states have statutes that allow for enforcement activities and the ability to assess penalties and/or interest.—
New York Daily News Special Sections,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Traditional Medicare has significant out-of-pocket costs, and those without supplemental insurance can face bills that eat up a large share of limited retirement income.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
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The worst bills in any session often slip through right as things are wrapping up, when bills are passing at a clip too rapid for anyone to inspect them.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Several amendments that would have increased the bill's scope, like one that proposed to pause the sales tax placed on electric bills, failed on the Senate floor.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The recommit deadline had passed, Koch said, and any amendments passed would have killed the bill.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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