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
The president’s comments come after his administration expanded a federal program that deputizes local police to enforce immigration laws, signing up nearly 16,000 officers across 40 states as part of an effort to boost deportations, according to data reviewed by Bloomberg News.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
Trump is setting rates by bypassing laws that require a more detailed process for imposing tariffs in limited circumstances.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
In 2013, Queen Elizabeth II posthumously pardoned Alan Turing, the World War II codebreaker convicted under laws criminalizing homosexuality, and in 2017 the UK government extended the pardon to thousands of other gay and bisexual men convicted under similar statutes.
—James Frater, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Under Finnish laws, the filming schedule was capped to a maximum of four 12-hour days per week.
—Marcus Lim, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
But because those laws are contingent on congressional approval, the year-round observation isn’t currently implemented in any state so far.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
For that, speak with a lawyer, especially because laws vary from state to state.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
That involves going after low-level offenses to send a message that laws will be enforced across the board.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
These safe haven laws allow parents to relinquish their parental rights within a time limit that differs state to state, according to the National Safe Haven Alliance.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
Trump is setting rates by bypassing laws that require a more detailed process for imposing tariffs in limited circumstances.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
In 2013, Queen Elizabeth II posthumously pardoned Alan Turing, the World War II codebreaker convicted under laws criminalizing homosexuality, and in 2017 the UK government extended the pardon to thousands of other gay and bisexual men convicted under similar statutes.
—James Frater, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Under Finnish laws, the filming schedule was capped to a maximum of four 12-hour days per week.
—Marcus Lim, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
But because those laws are contingent on congressional approval, the year-round observation isn’t currently implemented in any state so far.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
For that, speak with a lawyer, especially because laws vary from state to state.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
That involves going after low-level offenses to send a message that laws will be enforced across the board.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
These safe haven laws allow parents to relinquish their parental rights within a time limit that differs state to state, according to the National Safe Haven Alliance.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
-
The compromise speaks to Lee’s pragmatic approach to breaking South Korean acts into the American mainstream — a three-decade quest that often required him to bend but never break his vision.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
-
What’s left acts as a protective stencil for later steps, like etching the metal or silicon.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That’s true enough — but constitutions can be changed.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Many had helped create state constitutions that included pioneering bills of rights.—
Donald Nieman,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
By late 1990, police suspected Wuornos of the murders and tracked down Moore to help convince Wuornos to confess.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Marvin Fisher, of Sherwood, also made a similar report to police.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Should the town change any ordinances or rules to alter how development occurs?—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
-
This week, the cities of Lee’s Summit and Independence passed ordinances setting limits on how and where city vendors and events can operate during the World Cup.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With a sense of duty — common among Indigenous Americans, who have historically served in the military at a per capita rate higher than any other ethnic group — the men used their language to exchange codes in Tlingit while having no idea what military intelligence was doing with the information.—
Tim Trudell,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Looking to his reputation as a hard-working and brilliant designer, Anderson surely has the ability to blend in with the Dior DNA, juggling its strong heritage and codes, and placing the house in good stead for a revival.—
Vogue Business Team,
Vogue,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Preservation experts note that the White House grounds are governed by multiple overlapping statutes, though the Executive Residence has historically been treated as exempt from some federal planning reviews.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Specifically, Barnes referenced Act 237, or the LEARNS Act, and Act 372, as two statutes justifying the memo's release.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In 2026, a perfect storm of rising premiums and the expiration of enhanced subsidies that kept costs lower for middle-class families mean many people will face higher bills or be forced to shop around for cheaper plans.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
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Trump officials' focus on recouping payments from defaulted student loan borrowers was a reversal of the Education Department's strategy under former President Joe Biden, which centered more on providing borrowers with additional options to get current on their bills.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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If the proposals are approved, Johnson has the authority to veto either the purpose, the amount or the entire line item listed in any amendments approved by the Common Council.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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Mnangagwa, 83, is now focused on pushing through constitutional amendments for his extension and for Zimbabwe’s return to a single local currency by 2030.—
Tawanda Karombo,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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