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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ordinances
Through these referendums, voters can weigh in on construction bans, tax incentives and zoning ordinances.
—
Rachel Mural, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
The counties of San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz have non-cooperation policies or ordinances on the books.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 15 June 2026
In 1988, Chicago passed one of the country's first LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination ordinances, a major shift in a city where many once lived in the shadows.
—Darius Johnson, CBS News, 13 June 2026
The Chicago City Council also passed affordable-housing ordinances in the nearby neighborhoods.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 12 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
City staffers will work out details and draft the ordinances to be brought back to the City Council for a final vote, probably later this year.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Diving on public property, such as sidewalks or parks, is usually allowed unless local ordinances prohibit it.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2025
Rachel Mural, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
The counties of San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz have non-cooperation policies or ordinances on the books.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 15 June 2026
In 1988, Chicago passed one of the country's first LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination ordinances, a major shift in a city where many once lived in the shadows.
—Darius Johnson, CBS News, 13 June 2026
The Chicago City Council also passed affordable-housing ordinances in the nearby neighborhoods.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 12 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
City staffers will work out details and draft the ordinances to be brought back to the City Council for a final vote, probably later this year.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Diving on public property, such as sidewalks or parks, is usually allowed unless local ordinances prohibit it.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordinances
Noun
-
These laws apply to the jurisdiction where the bet is placed -- one of the reasons why each bettor’s mobile device must be GPS-located before a wager is placed.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
In ordering Anthropic to obtain US approval for foreign nationals to use its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expanded the boundaries of laws governing transfers of sensitive technology to target the mere usage of cutting-edge AI models.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
At 16, Avtan bopped around her bedroom in West Hills to the digital hardcore and gabber of acts like Lolita Storm.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
-
That incident followed several other acts of vandalism by the group.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Emboldened, Martin, who was a high school guidance counselor, found her second calling as a food safety advocate, testifying against raw-milk-access bills across the country.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Angel's family has started a GoFundMe to assist with her medical bills, baby products and accessible additions such as structural ramps to their home, as the teen was paralyzed in the incident and is using a wheelchair.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Uthmeier wrote the opinion in response to a question from Senator Clay Yarborough about whether existing Florida statutes require a school district to accommodate such requests.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
-
The statutes underneath it, ECOA aside, do not.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The city attorney’s office submitted a recommendation on Tuesday to break up the charter into a number of amendments.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
Wang, however, failed to garner her colleagues’ support for amendments allowing the council to vet the mayor’s choice for the administrator role.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ordinances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordinances. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
