as in law
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature
a new antilittering statute
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 statute
The eight-hour movement organized through the 1860s and 1880s and the shorter day arrived less through statute than through Henry Ford, who offered five dollars for eight hours in 1914 and cut the week to five days in 1926.
—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Liberal justices were concerned that reading the statute as requiring votes to be received on or by Election Day could undermine states’ efforts to expand voting access through early voting.
—
Jamie Rowen,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
The group further alleged that the FAIR Plan’s governing statutes do not give Lara the authority to permit the surcharges — and that the statutes require insurers to share in the plan’s profits and losses, and not shift losses to policyholders.
—
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
After Emmert’s conviction, the legislature amended the state’s criminal trespassing statute to exclude floating on a river’s surface.
—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for statute
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Liberal justices were concerned that reading the statute as requiring votes to be received on or by Election Day could undermine states’ efforts to expand voting access through early voting.
—
Jamie Rowen,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
The group further alleged that the FAIR Plan’s governing statutes do not give Lara the authority to permit the surcharges — and that the statutes require insurers to share in the plan’s profits and losses, and not shift losses to policyholders.
—
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
After Emmert’s conviction, the legislature amended the state’s criminal trespassing statute to exclude floating on a river’s surface.
—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for statute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for statute
Noun
-
Beginning Monday, the focus shifts to whether there is enough evidence for a trial and if the death penalty is warranted, said Paul Cassell, a University of Utah law professor and former federal judge.
-
And even though Georgia law does not require this, all cyclists and scooterists should wear helmets.
Noun
-
At the time, the colonies were still under British rule, making the creation of a national flag a potentially dangerous act.
-
The core party at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will feature performances by acts including the Smashing Pumpkins, Maren Morris and Anthony Ramos, according to the America 250 website.
Noun
-
Days after Miller shared details about the car accident, which occurred north of Joplin, Missouri, a GoFundMe was set up to pay for hospital bills.
-
But the Republican budget bill incorporated cuts to food stamps — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — that have driven some 4 million people off the program.
Noun
-
Officers could be subject to civil and criminal penalties under the ordinance.
-
In January 2025, a federal judge ruled that portion of the ordinance overburdens free speech rights by prohibiting anyone from providing any lecture in any San Diego public park or beach.
Noun
-
Already, the amendment is facing a wave of opposition from anti-tax advocates and local government officials.
-
The Ratepayer Protection Act remained in committee and subject to amendment at the time of writing.
Cite this Entry
“Statute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/statute. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
