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 The Supreme Court on Tuesday seemed likely to uphold a law allowing Americans injured by acts of terror in the Middle East to take Palestinian leadership groups to U.S. courts for damages. Ella Lee, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025 While Caine does not meet prerequisites for the job set out in a 1986 law — such as being a combatant commander or service chief — lawmakers noted his decades of service. Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025 However, her response states that because legislative bodies are not responsible for enforcing laws, she is blocked from speaking to lawmakers. Clare Duffy, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025 The truth was somewhere in the middle: No, Kid Nation was never officially charged with violating child labor laws, but one kid did accidentally drink bleach — and another sustained a minor burn while cooking. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for law
Noun
  • Following the act of protest, the referee of the University of Maryland match -- which was not an NCAA tournament -- issued a black card to Turner, removing her from the competition.
    Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • By the 1870s, the filibuster had become both a fixture of the political process and a noun — though it was initially applied to the person who gave the speeches, rather than the act of speaking itself, Merriam-Webster says.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The first public school in the country, Boston Latin, was founded in Boston a year earlier; the state’s constitution required every town to establish grammar schools.
    Jenna Russell, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Facing a major test, South Korea has upheld the constitution and rule of law, but the crisis has also highlighted the relative immaturity of its democratic system, legal experts say.
    Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Smith said one of the runners, a male who police have not identified, returned back into the house.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • West Sacramento police were investigating the deadly Wednesday morning shooting in the 900 block of F Street, department officials said in a brief statement posted to social media.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In order to approve legislation using the reconciliation maneuver, lawmakers must first approve a budget resolution and direct committees to craft bills reconciling spending with the new budget goals.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • They’re represent livelihoods in communities across the country – many of them in Congressional districts represented by Republicans, which have received an astounding 85% of IRA investments tied to the bill.
    Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Fairchild Studio: What are some of the standout timepieces from the latest collection? C.S.: Speaking about the anniversary design codes, the guilloche pattern stands out!
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Rolex Land-Dweller The Land-Dweller bears all the aesthetic codes of Rolex’s classic waterproof sports watches but with more longevity than ever.
    Alex Doak, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Yet moves by Trump and his administration assuring TikTok and its service providers that U.S. authorities will not prosecute anyone under the law have been enough for the popular app to stay online despite operating in violation of a federal statute.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The removals have defied laws that say presidents cannot remove such officials without a good cause like misconduct and challenged a 1935 Supreme Court ruling upholding the power of Congress to enact such statutes.
    Charlie Savage, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Weiss said the prohibition was part of the city’s liquor ordinance.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The full council is expected to vote on the ordinance Thursday.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lawmakers in Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia are currently considering such legislation.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In response, a group of Senators have introduced bipartisan legislation to reign in presidential power on tariffs.
    Ana Perez, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/law. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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