1
as in acts
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature
a record number of laws were passed in that legislative session
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in constitutions
a collection or system of rules of conduct
it's important to obey the law at all times, or else you might end up in jail
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in police
the department of government that keeps order, fights crime, and enforces statutes
a petty thief who had somehow managed to avoid the law for most of his life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laws
Straight men, in particular, are only talked about, kept in the background, or appearing as authority figures trying to uphold absurd laws and traditions.
—
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Often, competitive incentives offered by state governments, state laws that are less friendly to labor unions than many northern states and access to major transportation networks are among the reasons behind the industry’s rise in the South.
—Brian Moody, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
There may be room for work in the area of repealing legislation rather than enacting new laws to help increase the access to the health care system.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
But most of the new entrants, such as Intrade and Tradesports, have floundered after running afoul of federal regulators and federal laws prohibiting internet and sports gambling.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Goldman Sachs requires its employees to get preapproval before receiving or giving gifts from clients, according to the company’s code of conduct, partly in order to not run afoul of anti-bribery laws.
—Ken Sweet, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Under sentencing laws in place at the time of the crime, Modrowski was eligible for day-for-day credit, allowing for his release days later.
—Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Lifetouch follows all applicable federal, state, and local data privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
While that is the standard that would be considered in a civil case, local investigators are also looking into whether any state laws were violated.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Often, competitive incentives offered by state governments, state laws that are less friendly to labor unions than many northern states and access to major transportation networks are among the reasons behind the industry’s rise in the South.
—Brian Moody, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
There may be room for work in the area of repealing legislation rather than enacting new laws to help increase the access to the health care system.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
But most of the new entrants, such as Intrade and Tradesports, have floundered after running afoul of federal regulators and federal laws prohibiting internet and sports gambling.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Goldman Sachs requires its employees to get preapproval before receiving or giving gifts from clients, according to the company’s code of conduct, partly in order to not run afoul of anti-bribery laws.
—Ken Sweet, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Under sentencing laws in place at the time of the crime, Modrowski was eligible for day-for-day credit, allowing for his release days later.
—Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Lifetouch follows all applicable federal, state, and local data privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
While that is the standard that would be considered in a civil case, local investigators are also looking into whether any state laws were violated.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
-
The government insists the case has nothing to do with a free press, saying the defendants used news reporting as a pretext for years to commit acts that harmed China and Hong Kong.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This one will be a family affair and feature a pair of second-generation Ragweed acts.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Thirty-seven states have Blaine Amendments in their constitutions.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Modern authoritarianism does not announce itself with tanks in the streets or the suspension of constitutions.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The answer came when police found an online statement written by 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, who died in the car bomb blast.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Prosecutors said in court filings that Payne admitted to the shooting during an interview with Covington police.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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County officials say the goal is to keep plastic out of the environment and align Placer County with similar ordinances already in place in the Town of Truckee and the City of South Lake Tahoe.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, residents have staged large protests as some local and state officials drafted ordinances and legislation seeking to block the detention centers.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The walls are papered with Venmo codes for donations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The other important part is whether building and fire codes allow the type of structure that makes sense for the site.—
Waleed Albakry,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One of those statutes requires election officials to keep voter registration records for 22 months after an election.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Evans said investigators were examining whether election improprieties in Fulton County amounted to violations of federal statutes governing the preservation of election records and the knowing deprivation of a fair election.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The bills include provisions to encourage states and local governments to adopt more pro-housing land use and zoning policies, encouraging them to boost their housing productions.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Gauging the personal pain that's hitting those buried by credit card debt and other bills often amounts to absolute disbelief over today's incredibly high interest rates.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The legislation's proponents have called on him to use a maneuver known as a talking filibuster to sidestep the 60-vote threshold for ending debate, but doing so would eat up valuable floor time and enable Democrats to offer unlimited amendments.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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One of the amendments included hospital police officers.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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