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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laws
Noun
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And sometimes, the power grabs succeed—because presidential democracy is not protected by constitutions written with magical ink.—
Brian Klaas,
The Atlantic,
3 Dec. 2024 -
This is part of a national move to ban involuntary servitude in states whose constitutions still indicate the practice is legal.—
Anabel Sosa,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin so police in Italy — which is one of the 125 ICC member states — would have be forced to detain him.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2025
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Francis attempted to flee from police during the traffic stop but was captured after a short foot chase, court records show.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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City staffers will work out details and draft the ordinances to be brought back to the City Council for a final vote, probably later this year.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
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Diving on public property, such as sidewalks or parks, is usually allowed unless local ordinances prohibit it.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As juvenile arrest rates plunged, states like California, Colorado and Vermont, all of which had laws similar to Florida’s statutes, moved away from the punitive approach of trying kids as adults.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
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Grant’s actions marked the first time the federal government had declared an organized group in violation of sedition statutes since the beginning of the Civil War.—
Brittany Friedman / Made by History,
TIME,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The program helps low-income households pay utility bills.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
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Fortunately, there are other bills this legislative session that are promising.—
Eshan Dosani,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the Congress of 1991-92, Wallach noted, the Senate adopted more than sixteen hundred amendments.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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Senators used to take pride in proposing amendments during floor debates, facilitating bipartisan dealmaking even against party leaders’ wishes.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Laws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laws. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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