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
South Strabane Township's board of supervisors passed two ordinances related to data center development during a meeting on Tuesday.
—
Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Meanwhile, the DeKalb County Commissioners are reportedly reviewing local rules and ordinances after residents raised concerns during a public meeting on June 8.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
The agenda’s supporting documents noted that county staff recommended continuing consideration of the ordinances until the board’s June 16 meeting for adoption.
—Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Those noise levels are quieter than a conversation with someone 3 feet away and not loud enough to damage people’s hearing or violate local noise ordinances.
—Ed Maibach, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The city of Aledo is considering ordinances targeting e-bikes and golf carts following numerous complaints from residents that riders are ignoring traffic rules, running stop signs and disregarding pedestrians on sidewalks.
—Mary Ella Hastings
june 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
Wara said local ordinances prohibiting street parking in communities with narrow roads when fire risk is high could also help facilitate evacuations.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
The Chicago City Council also passed affordable-housing ordinances in the nearby neighborhoods.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Joining Hayes in voting to table the budget and salary ordinances were Guzman, Turner, and Ald.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Meanwhile, the DeKalb County Commissioners are reportedly reviewing local rules and ordinances after residents raised concerns during a public meeting on June 8.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
The agenda’s supporting documents noted that county staff recommended continuing consideration of the ordinances until the board’s June 16 meeting for adoption.
—Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Those noise levels are quieter than a conversation with someone 3 feet away and not loud enough to damage people’s hearing or violate local noise ordinances.
—Ed Maibach, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The city of Aledo is considering ordinances targeting e-bikes and golf carts following numerous complaints from residents that riders are ignoring traffic rules, running stop signs and disregarding pedestrians on sidewalks.
—Mary Ella Hastings
june 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
Wara said local ordinances prohibiting street parking in communities with narrow roads when fire risk is high could also help facilitate evacuations.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
The Chicago City Council also passed affordable-housing ordinances in the nearby neighborhoods.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Joining Hayes in voting to table the budget and salary ordinances were Guzman, Turner, and Ald.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordinances
Noun
-
Without active enforcement, laws meant to protect people like Esther and the men on that boat remain meaningless.—
Nicole F. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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The company has called out seven different potential federal laws, like the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act, the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act, and the AI Plan Act.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Alongside electronica, alt-pop, and indie rock acts, hip-hop has been part of the Gov Ball from year one—the only year the festival actually took place on Governor’s Island—which included sets by Big Boi, Mac Miller, and Das Racist.—
Rob Kenner,
VIBE.com,
8 June 2026
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The Hong Kong government proposed legislation Monday that would allow the city’s leader to designate certain criminal acts as national security offenses, stepping up its efforts to stamp out challenges to its rules in the city where critics say freedoms have been eroding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Ordinary Russian households face food prices that are up more than 18% compared to January 2024, sky-high utility bills, and a recent two-percentage-point hike in sales tax.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Xcel Energy’s bills in Colorado continue to fall below the national average for electric rates, Isenberg added.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Those policies, their attorneys argue, violate state laws in California that prohibit restrictions on NIL rights, as well as federal antitrust statutes.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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Twice in the past 10 years, the city has sued the motel’s owner under nuisance abatement statutes.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The incorporated amendments were championed by councilmembers, including Pamela Campos, Peter Ortiz, Domingo Candelas, George Casey, Bien Doan, Rosemary Kamei, Anthony Tordillos, and David Cohen.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
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And those three constitutional amendments with the adjoining Reconstruction Acts and Civil Rights Acts—there’ll be more of those.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ordinances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordinances. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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