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
Becerra proposes to require cities and counties to approve or deny building permits within 90 days, loosening certain regulations for infill projects and reforming construction defect laws to encourage more construction of entry-level condos.
—
Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The proposal would allow NYC a pilot program requiring the installation of technology that detects speed, and slows drivers down, particularly those who have a long rap sheet of breaking speeding laws.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 1 May 2026
No matter which laws eventually come to pass, the key for retirement savers is to consistently add to your portfolio over time, says Look.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Although California and Colorado have recently enacted laws that require social media companies to respond promptly to all search warrants, those laws would have done nothing for Krug, Ivanoff said, because her cousin’s case involved stalking via email and text message.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 1 May 2026
The unions have also had some success getting states to pass laws.
—CBS News, 1 May 2026
State laws may have restrictions in addition to IRS limitations.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The indictment also charges Meade and West each with one count of conspiracy to obstruct and defeat the Internal Revenue Service, five counts of attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws and seven counts of aiding or assisting the filing of false documents, officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
California’s consumer protection and false advertising laws also forbid misrepresenting goods or services.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The proposal would allow NYC a pilot program requiring the installation of technology that detects speed, and slows drivers down, particularly those who have a long rap sheet of breaking speeding laws.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 1 May 2026
No matter which laws eventually come to pass, the key for retirement savers is to consistently add to your portfolio over time, says Look.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Although California and Colorado have recently enacted laws that require social media companies to respond promptly to all search warrants, those laws would have done nothing for Krug, Ivanoff said, because her cousin’s case involved stalking via email and text message.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 1 May 2026
The unions have also had some success getting states to pass laws.
—CBS News, 1 May 2026
State laws may have restrictions in addition to IRS limitations.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The indictment also charges Meade and West each with one count of conspiracy to obstruct and defeat the Internal Revenue Service, five counts of attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws and seven counts of aiding or assisting the filing of false documents, officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
California’s consumer protection and false advertising laws also forbid misrepresenting goods or services.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
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The volume was loud – at least one listener’s ears were ringing four hours after the concert ended – but Springsteen’s is one of the few rock acts whose music literally demands such auditory excess (most groups use volume to mask mediocrity).—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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As next acts go, showcasing art and craft in a 15th-century Venetian palazzo is an audacious—and romantic—plan.—
Asad Syrkett,
Architectural Digest,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The court noted that partisan gerrymandering claims could continue to be decided in state courts under their own constitutions and laws.—
David A. Lieb,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Homeowner preferences hard-coded into state constitutions decades ago now further sustain the gerontocracy.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Two persons of interest were being questioned by police Monday, sources said.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Videos of police abuse recorded by users remained a common theme on social media for decades.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As far back as the 1960s, local ordinances banned disruptive behavior such as loud radios, overnight stays in public areas and picnicking on lawns, Time Out reported.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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With the clear power to enact humane pet shop ordinances, Connecticut cities will be able to promote humane businesses.—
Annie Hornish,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Connecticut updates its state building and fire codes every four years, and those rules govern many of the details on how new development goes up in the state.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
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Kelsey Arends, senior staff attorney for Nebraska Appleseed, an advocacy group, said the state’s long list of medical billing codes for conditions that would be exempted is still not long enough.—
Phil Galewitz,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These noteworthy prosecutions, often built under racketeering or similar statutes, are resource-intensive, multiyear undertakings that culminate in sweeping indictments, dramatic news conferences and lengthy sentences.—
Andrew S. Boutros,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Federal statutes and the laws of all 50 states give the press and the public the right to access at least some government meetings and documents.—
Lorna Veraldi,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As of last week, nearly 2,900 second installment bills that were supposed to go out last November were still unsent — including the bungalow Brooks has owned since 1982.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The typical hospice in Los Angeles County bills Medicare roughly $29,000 per patient, more than double the national average.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That ruling left Democrats opposed to the map arguing whether Florida’s Fair District amendments, which prohibit partisan gerrymandering, still made the DeSantis proposal improper.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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In this particular case, legal justification will flow through China's Anti-Monopoly Law, first enacted in 2008 and strengthened through amendments in 2022, and originally presented as a mechanism to ensure fair market competition.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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