the letter of the law
noun phrase
: exactly what the law says
They seem to be more concerned with obeying the letter of the law than with understanding the spirit of the law.
Examples of the letter of the law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bonaccorsi said that despite what officials say publicly, that means under the letter of the law, offering a homeless person a camping stove or bedding to keep warm at night could now also be considered a crime.
—
Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
Tech companies like Apple and Google (which offer TikTok in their apps stores) and Oracle (which has an agreement to host TikTok user data in the U.S.) may be reluctant to risk flouting the letter of the law.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
So if Trump says his administration won’t enforce the ban, TikTok may place a bet that all the companies that host and support TikTok’s content will be willing to break the letter of the law with the understanding that they won’t be punished for it.
—David Goldman, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
According to Budden, the judge presiding over his case ruled that his actions, as seen on the Ring camera footage provided by the plaintiff weren’t in violation of the letter of the law in regard to stalking or lewdness.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Answers that rely on following the letter of the law and contractual obligations ring increasingly hollow.
—The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Take a moment to consider the differences between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
Swaying the vote of just one of these individuals could make all the difference in the election scenario outlined above, allowing Trump to utilize threats of force to ascend to the presidency in a way that technically follows the letter of the law while crushing its spirit.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Which are going above and beyond regulatory requirements as opposed to just adhering to the letter of the law?
—Matt Kunkel, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
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Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
Tech companies like Apple and Google (which offer TikTok in their apps stores) and Oracle (which has an agreement to host TikTok user data in the U.S.) may be reluctant to risk flouting the letter of the law.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
So if Trump says his administration won’t enforce the ban, TikTok may place a bet that all the companies that host and support TikTok’s content will be willing to break the letter of the law with the understanding that they won’t be punished for it.
—David Goldman, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
According to Budden, the judge presiding over his case ruled that his actions, as seen on the Ring camera footage provided by the plaintiff weren’t in violation of the letter of the law in regard to stalking or lewdness.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Answers that rely on following the letter of the law and contractual obligations ring increasingly hollow.
—The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Take a moment to consider the differences between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
Swaying the vote of just one of these individuals could make all the difference in the election scenario outlined above, allowing Trump to utilize threats of force to ascend to the presidency in a way that technically follows the letter of the law while crushing its spirit.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Which are going above and beyond regulatory requirements as opposed to just adhering to the letter of the law?
—Matt Kunkel, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near the letter of the law
the letter of the law
Cite this Entry
“The letter of the law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20letter%20of%20the%20law. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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