as in laws
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature
a local ordinance forbids all street parking during snowstorms
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Recent Examples of ordinances
Under city ordinances, the sale of alcohol within 100 feet of schools is prohibited, although exceptions can be made by the Liquor Commission.
—
Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
The City Council voted in 2024 to recriminalize multiple city ordinances despite concerns from some advocates after uptown residents came forward with health and safety concerns.
—Mary Ramsey
january 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
Since 2020, states including Colorado and New Mexico — along with New York City — have passed laws or ordinances to limit or eliminate qualified immunity in civil rights cases.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
This new law applies to local governments seeking to institute new ordinances banning helping the homeless, as well as enforcing existing local ordinances that help the unhoused.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 Jan. 2026
Some have entertained waivers or tried to write new ordinances.
—Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
But key here among these cities, at least according to their city ordinances, is that the use of these fireworks is limited to July 4.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Elected leaders give city management direction and OK ordinances, while city staff executes those decisions and drafts policies or proposals for the council to consider.
—Shawn Raymundo, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Stigma and barriers persist Thirty minutes away from Hillsboro, however, Reedsburg’s zoning ordinances prohibit mobile and manufactured homes outside of mobile home parks, where homeowners pay a monthly fee to rent a lot.
—Addie Costello, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
The City Council voted in 2024 to recriminalize multiple city ordinances despite concerns from some advocates after uptown residents came forward with health and safety concerns.
—Mary Ramsey
january 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
Since 2020, states including Colorado and New Mexico — along with New York City — have passed laws or ordinances to limit or eliminate qualified immunity in civil rights cases.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
This new law applies to local governments seeking to institute new ordinances banning helping the homeless, as well as enforcing existing local ordinances that help the unhoused.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 Jan. 2026
Some have entertained waivers or tried to write new ordinances.
—Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
But key here among these cities, at least according to their city ordinances, is that the use of these fireworks is limited to July 4.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Elected leaders give city management direction and OK ordinances, while city staff executes those decisions and drafts policies or proposals for the council to consider.
—Shawn Raymundo, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Stigma and barriers persist Thirty minutes away from Hillsboro, however, Reedsburg’s zoning ordinances prohibit mobile and manufactured homes outside of mobile home parks, where homeowners pay a monthly fee to rent a lot.
—Addie Costello, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordinances
Noun
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In fact, Penn may have actually violated one of California’s clean air laws.—
David Matthews,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The project involves removing asbestos and lead contamination, updating the facilities to be compliant with accessibility laws, and upgrading electrical and ventilation systems.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That led the 2025 event to take place at Blackbox Theater and The Pine, with more than 17 musical acts, food trucks, vendors and more spread across the two sites.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
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For her, the small acts help process loss and offer hope to others returning to empty lots.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Surgeons could sell their unpaid medical bills to Blake or one of his medical funding company contacts for 20 percent of the face value.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Andy Baker-White, the senior director of state health policy for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said the bipartisan support for bills targeting food dyes and ultraprocessed food struck him as unusual.—
Alan Greenblatt,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The lawsuit alleges violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act, multiple state antitrust statutes and unjust enrichment laws.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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If convicted, Cole faces significant prison time under federal explosives statutes.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The committee will file amendments to the bill by the end of the week and discuss the bill further next week.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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Senate Public Health Committee Chairman Hob Bryan, a Democrat who has served in the Legislature since 1984, said committee hearings used to involve frequent debate, amendments and discussion among subcommittees.—
Gwen Dilworth,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ordinances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordinances. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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