laws

Definition of lawsnext
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 Lawyer Steve Oshins told Inside Wealth that QSBS laws and other tax proposals aimed at the wealthy encourage high earners to move to other states. Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 May 2026 The Dare Market app allows people to challenge one another to complete dares for prizes or money, but discourages users from breaking any laws, Perfito said. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026 Lawmakers this year took their first swipe in decades at changing Florida’s surrogacy laws, adopted in 1993. Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026 Every time laws keep an assault rifle out of the hands of someone intent on killing as many people as possible, lives are saved. The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 8 May 2026 That interpretation could suggest the mayor of the county’s second-largest city would be prohibited from passing legislation or speaking out against federal laws that may be detrimental to many Chula Vistans. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026 Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon have similar laws. Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 8 May 2026 Florida's uninsured motorist coverage laws can also apply. Matt Emma, USA Today, 8 May 2026 Although California and Colorado have recently enacted laws that require social media companies to respond promptly to all search warrants, those laws would have done nothing for Krug, Ivanoff said, because her cousin’s case involved stalking via email and text message. Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
  • In 2025, Ninajirachi won the NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year prize from the New South Wales state government, which supports its local music scene by awarding select acts with financial prizes.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026
  • One of my first acts was to professionalize our approach to funding.
    Sierra van der Brug, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • The court noted that partisan gerrymandering claims could continue to be decided in state courts under their own constitutions and laws.
    David A. Lieb, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Homeowner preferences hard-coded into state constitutions decades ago now further sustain the gerontocracy.
    Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The police have had to usher people along for lingering in front of the steps.
    Dalila Muata, NBC news, 5 May 2026
  • The shooting occurred near 15th Street and Independence Avenue, a few blocks from the White House, during a confrontation between an armed individual and Secret Service police, according to the Secret Service.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Noun
  • The city attorney has the obligation to draft ordinances to reflect the intent of Council and also has the independent obligation to flag risk and refuse to rubber-stamp actions that are unconstitutional or violate the charter/applicable law.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026
  • As far back as the 1960s, local ordinances banned disruptive behavior such as loud radios, overnight stays in public areas and picnicking on lawns, Time Out reported.
    Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In Downeast Maine, boys are shaped by brutal winters, the harvesting of the ocean’s bounty, and the rigid codes of their fathers.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
  • Apart from those designer pieces, the royal tends to style apparel featuring classic design codes with a contemporary touch, hence her recent gold Armani number.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Courts now interpret tax statutes independently—and in Kwong, that reading favored the taxpayer.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 May 2026
  • All my actions, communications or legal responses will adhere strictly to the applicable statutes, regulations and constitutional provisions at both the federal and state levels.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • And then how much time and energy does that take us away from doing the things that pay the bills?
    Alina Selyukh, NPR, 3 May 2026
  • In fact, Russian statistics show that nonpayments of commercial bills hit a record high of $109 billion in January.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • Virdell offered amendments as lawmakers debated the bill, but they were defeated.
    Jack Fink, CBS News, 5 May 2026
  • State legislators also have tried to thwart charter amendments limiting growth.
    Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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