as in laws
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature
a new antilittering statute
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Recent Examples of statutes
Renaming the department would require an act of Congress, as executive orders cannot override federal laws and statutes.
—
Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Public school libraries have had books removed that might have included content that doesn’t align with the statutes.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Indeed, some states have adopted statutes that explicitly prohibit tracking an older adult without consent.
—Nina A. Kohn, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Several relevant federal criminal statutes enable the prosecution of swatting incidents, including laws outlawing injuring or kidnapping threats and bomb threats.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Today, these antiquated statutes are increasingly being repurposed by governments to suppress opposition by prosecuting speech.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2025, 63% of Americans have strong anti-SLAPP protections in state courts, and just 12 states are without any protective statutes.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2025
The order also tells the DOJ to refer flag-desecration cases to state and local authorities, even as many of those jurisdictions once relied on statutes the Supreme Court struck down more than three decades ago.
—Nik Popli, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
The Menendez brothers were made newly eligible for parole consideration when they were resentenced to 50 years to life in prison under California's youthful offender statutes – the brothers were 18 and 21 at the time of the murders.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Public school libraries have had books removed that might have included content that doesn’t align with the statutes.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Indeed, some states have adopted statutes that explicitly prohibit tracking an older adult without consent.
—Nina A. Kohn, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Several relevant federal criminal statutes enable the prosecution of swatting incidents, including laws outlawing injuring or kidnapping threats and bomb threats.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Today, these antiquated statutes are increasingly being repurposed by governments to suppress opposition by prosecuting speech.
—Stephen Townley, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
In 2025, 63% of Americans have strong anti-SLAPP protections in state courts, and just 12 states are without any protective statutes.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2025
The order also tells the DOJ to refer flag-desecration cases to state and local authorities, even as many of those jurisdictions once relied on statutes the Supreme Court struck down more than three decades ago.
—Nik Popli, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
The Menendez brothers were made newly eligible for parole consideration when they were resentenced to 50 years to life in prison under California's youthful offender statutes – the brothers were 18 and 21 at the time of the murders.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for statutes
Noun
-
Schneider said any crackdowns on potential violators are more likely to be aimed at organized efforts to circumvent consumer protection laws, rather than go after every individual who may skirt regulations.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Due to the state's open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner.—
Steven Martinez,
jsonline.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Catch the first two acts before the third premieres in November 2025.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The show, which has never shied from controversy, will feature performances from Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin, Busta Rhymes, J Balvin with DJ Snake, and rising alt-pop acts Alex Warren and Sombr.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In May, the West Memphis City Council unanimously approved two ordinances authorizing a $10 billion payment-in-lieu of taxes agreement between the city and an unnamed company.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Second Amendment advocates say city-by-city ordinances would be cumbersome for permit holders commuting daily between jurisdictions.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the state legislature, Salvador has sponsored a variety of bills to regulate AI, including a ban on deepfakes in political campaigns and an initiative to create standards for labeling AI content.—
Kyle Ingram,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
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The students in the club participated in National History Day, a competition where students present a topic of their interest, and the YMCA Youth and Government Program’s Model Legislative Session, where students debate bills at the Arizona Capitol.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Two years later, the NME was renamed the Department of Defense by amendments to the National Security Act.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Three years on, the bill is still working its way through the legal process, after multiple amendments, and the most recent refile last month, following fierce opposition from conservative organizations and church groups.—
Ladan Anoushfar,
CNN Money,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Statutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/statutes. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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