statutes

noun

plural of statute
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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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 statutes Hinojosa would not be able to simply repeal existing statutes by executive order, including immigration laws, meaning state lawmakers would need to be on board with major changes. — Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2026 The prosecutor's conclusion differed from an Agriculture Department investigator's assessment that Garner had violated criminal statutes, according to the report. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026 However, statutes sometimes allow courts to shift fees to the losing party. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026 The state indictment is a classic murder case, prosecutors argued, and murder is generally not defined by federal statutes. — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2026 Those statutes prohibit local governments from limiting federal immigration enforcement. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 While state legislators pass the statutes that define crimes, local prosecutors decide where to spend limited enforcement dollars. — Ronald Wright, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026 Some potential privacy breaches may fall under product safety laws that attorneys general can prosecute under UDAP statutes , Schroeder said, acknowledging the possibility of broader AI legislation coming out of the next Congress. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 The lawsuit in District Court for the District of Columbia contends that the federal government failed to comply with numerous statutes. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for statutes
  1. laws
  2. acts
  3. ordinances
  4. bills
  5. amendments
Noun
  • California voters have twice rejected ballot measures to abolish the death penalty, first in 2012 and again in 2016, and Newsom’s decision overrides the will of the courts and state laws that permit capital punishment.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Speaking in Spanish, Leo emphasized the importance of protecting family life and delivered a pointed criticism of both laws.
    — Carrie Kahn, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of laws
Noun
  • Working in Brown’s favor is his stadium-conquering joint R&B Tour with Usher, which has reinforced his status as one of the most lucrative touring acts in Black music history.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Silent Crow gives an even higher figure of 450,100 which included those killed in combat, non-combat losses among military personnel and deaths marked as terrorist acts.
    — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of acts
Noun
  • Volusia County became the only Florida county to ban declawing in 2022 when commissioners overhauled its animal ordinances.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Chief Rodriguez said the city and Police Department comply with all applicable state laws and Santa Ana’s municipal sanctuary ordinances governing federal immigration enforcement.
    — Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of ordinances
Noun
  • The family has been contacting lawyers and social services agencies to get help paying for bills and utilities.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2026
  • SpaceX said the development could reduce electricity bills for cooperative members by up to 20 percent.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of bills
Noun
  • Two other amendments on the ballot were rejected and drew about 100,000 fewer votes.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The 1983 amendments gradually raised the full retirement age from 65 to 67 and, for the first time, subjected some benefits to federal income tax.
    — Lena Borrelli, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of amendments

Browse Nearby Words

statute
statutes
statutory
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Cite this Entry

“Statutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/statutes. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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