1
2
as in constitution
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word law distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of law are canon, ordinance, precept, regulation, rule, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When could canon be used to replace law?

In some situations, the words canon and law are roughly equivalent. However, canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

When can ordinance be used instead of law?

While in some cases nearly identical to law, ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

When would precept be a good substitute for law?

The words precept and law can be used in similar contexts, but precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

When might regulation be a better fit than law?

The meanings of regulation and law largely overlap; however, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When is rule a more appropriate choice than law?

The words rule and law are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When is it sensible to use statute instead of law?

Although the words statute and law have much in common, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

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 law In February, dozens of artists in the UK collaborated on a silent album to protest UK copyright laws involving AI. Marina Watts, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025 At Friday’s summit, Armstrong says his top priority will be pushing forward new laws. Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2025 Who should get the whooping cough vaccine? North Carolina law requires that all children get immunized against several illnesses, including whooping cough. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2025 These crackdowns come with their own human rights risks, however, with the Chinese authorities reportedly operating outside local laws to extradite Chinese nationals involved. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for law
Noun
  • Best Music Film: A Competitive Race The Best Music Film category has honored a mix of living legends and modern acts in recent years.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The band then became the first act to debut at No. 1 with its first six chart entries in the nearly 69-year history of the chart.
    Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This state constitution was not supported by either the majority of white Kansans or the territorial governor, but Buchanan’s meddling led to the state constitution receiving U.S. Senate approval.
    Yong Kwon / Made by History, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Florida’s ballot initiative process, a right guaranteed in the constitution, has long been used by groups to pass measures that have been otherwise stymied by state lawmakers.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The investigation began on Saturday when Sanford PD received an anonymous tip regarding a video of an unknown male threatening to shoot students at the school, the police department said.
    Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Hull, 57, a former Kane County judge, is running for the first time as mayor and said issues in St. Charles among voters include the hiring of a new police chief, redevelopment of the Charlestowne Mall site and whether to renew a contract with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency.
    David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The bill has stalled repeatedly in Congress as opponents argue such measures are no longer needed because the country has changed since the 1960s.
    Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In both cases, the tariff bill isn’t large compared to total sales – but both Topgolf and Amer stocks are down the last month, 17% and 13% respectively.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Bugs or security gaps in old versions of your browser or extensions can be exploited to inject malicious code, steal data or take control of your system.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Carven said in a brief statement that the team will continue to build on the foundations and refine the codes and style forged for the house.
    Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Last week, Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Committee on Natural Resources argued at an oversight meeting that the Endangered Species Act was an overreach of federal authority and an ambiguous statute, as part of a broader reexamination of conservation laws.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Former child support office head Vicki Turetsky expressed concerns about the request, pointing to federal statutes that restrict access to the information for specific purposes.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Fines only come into play when someone deliberately violates the ordinance after a first citation.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The communications director for the department of regulatory and economic resources suggested a reporter contact former Miami-Dade commissioner Barbara Jordan, who sponsored the measure as part of a series of amendments to the county workforce ordinance in 2016.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • There are several more steps until legislation like that could get final approval.
    Stephen Fowler, NPR, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The legislation forces ByteDance to sell the app to a non-Chinese buyer or face a nationwide ban.
    Angela Yang, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/law. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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