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
Relevance
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
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
The Department of Transportation (DOT) pledged to enforce existing laws.
—
Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
The organization takes care of the back-end logistics, from payroll and setting tuition to lobbying state legislators and navigating local zoning laws, freeing educators to concentrate on their craft.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Redneck Revolt was sued by Charlottesville and local businesses under anti-paramilitary and nuisance laws after a 2017 rally.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
New laws covering topics including new protections for lottery winners and a change to the state’s laws pertaining cousins marrying are set to take effect in Connecticut starting on October 1, 2025.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
There has also been no indication that the Chinese government has made any changes to laws that would be necessary for a deal to occur.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
Restrictive zoning laws mean young workers are priced out of the housing market.
—Renaud Foucart, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
Any attempt to impose hate speech laws in this country is a denial of the humanity of American citizens and cannot be allowed under any circumstances.
—ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
Pornhub, one of the world's largest pornography websites, blocked users in states with age verification laws, rather than paying for age verification software, CNN reported earlier this year.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
The organization takes care of the back-end logistics, from payroll and setting tuition to lobbying state legislators and navigating local zoning laws, freeing educators to concentrate on their craft.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
Redneck Revolt was sued by Charlottesville and local businesses under anti-paramilitary and nuisance laws after a 2017 rally.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
New laws covering topics including new protections for lottery winners and a change to the state’s laws pertaining cousins marrying are set to take effect in Connecticut starting on October 1, 2025.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
There has also been no indication that the Chinese government has made any changes to laws that would be necessary for a deal to occur.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
Restrictive zoning laws mean young workers are priced out of the housing market.
—Renaud Foucart, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
Any attempt to impose hate speech laws in this country is a denial of the humanity of American citizens and cannot be allowed under any circumstances.
—ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
Pornhub, one of the world's largest pornography websites, blocked users in states with age verification laws, rather than paying for age verification software, CNN reported earlier this year.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
-
One of Potter’s first acts at West Ham was to increase the intensity in training sessions and then give players time off.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Public acts passed in Connecticut go into effect on October 1 of each year.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The constitutions of Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Finland guarantee choice in place of residence.—
Sophia Rosenfeld
September 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Only a few other states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York, have environmental protections enshrined in their constitutions.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After the rally began in Cincinnati, around 100 people crossed the Roebling Bridge, heading toward Covington, according to police.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The letter detailed that the White Bear Lake Police department is now conducting an investigation into the incident, and said that the individual was now in police custody.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These laws apply to all buildings three stories or higher—coastal and inland—unless city or county ordinances impose even stricter standards.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Etherly said the ordinances and executive actions will save the city more than $600,000 per year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Trader Joe's says there have been no positive listeria tests for this particular dish, nor have there been reports of illness associated with those specific production codes.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Those barriers come from restrictive zoning laws, building codes and long permitting times.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Florida statutes say that all county jail operators must enter into 287(g) agreements with ICE, but does not explicitly require municipalities like South Miami to do so.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Based on those findings, the Justice Department will decide whether Bolton’s conduct warrants criminal charges under statutes like the Espionage Act, a civil action similar to the 2020 book dispute, or no further action.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Since none of the 12 appropriations bills have been approved, this shutdown is more extensive than the partial shutdown that started in December 2018, when Congress had enacted five of the 12 appropriations bills, said the nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank Committee for a Responsible Budget.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Housing and rising bills Housing availability and affordability are particularly pressing issues in Wyandotte County, which has the lowest median income among people living in the Kansas City metro.—
Sofi Zeman
October 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The exhibition gives viewers a chance to see not only the original Constitution when it was ratified but also the amendments that have revised it over time, notably by guaranteeing Black men and then all women the right to vote.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Negotiations have stalled as both parties propose vastly different contract amendments, according to union updates.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share