Thesaurus results for LAW

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

law

noun

ˈlȯ

Definition of law

as in act

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

Relevance

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

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 But the right is not absolute, said Tomonobu Ishida, a law professor at Meiji University in Tokyo. — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 Some voting laws have changed in Ohio since 2022, including the state eliminating its grace period for receiving mail ballots, a change that forces voters to return those ballots earlier. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 The draft law asks future governments to disclose, assess, and explain. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Other existing Idaho laws on miscarriage management are limited, mostly focused on the disposal of a fetus’s remains and on vital statistics certificates. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for law

Recent Examples of Synonyms for law

Noun

Later, in 1711, the colony passed a legislative act to make reparations to the victims, including restoring the good names of the accused and paying financial retributions to the families of the accused.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
The rush from the other 29 teams to acquire him would be quite literally hilarious, because trading Ohtani would be an act of financial suicide for LA and a massive windfall for a new team.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of act

Noun

Vucic had served as president of Serbia since 2017 and previously as prime minister from 2014 to 2017, but was term limited under the constitution.

— Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
If passed, the amendment would name English as the state’s official language in the constitution — and require that it be used in all public proceedings, public documents and public instruction.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of constitution

Noun

One injured woman was rescued and hospitalized, and another person who was crying for help had gone silent, the police chief said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Around 200 firefighters and emergency personnel ⁠in the area around Berchtesgaden in the southern region of Bavaria were battling the flames after the building, known as the Kehlsteinhaus, caught fire on Friday, police said.

— Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of police

Noun

Betsy Smith, the head of the Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit which operates the park, cheered the passage of the bill.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
The incumbent senator accused his critics of lying about the controversy before acknowledging that his office sent patients with unpaid bills to collections.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of bill

Noun

Thinking that writing code was the only bottleneck for deploying new software is like the Titanic seeing the tip of the iceberg and assuming there was nothing underneath it.

— Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026
Smith also explained what would happen if a legal challenge ultimately failed, including continuity arrangements with European partners and backup copies of Microsoft’s code held in Switzerland.

— Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of code

Noun

Those statutes prohibit local governments from limiting federal immigration enforcement.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
The statute requires the Title IX coordinator to promptly contact the complainant to discuss available supportive measures, even if a formalcomplaint isn’t filed.

— Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of statute

Noun

Under this new ordinance, student filmmakers, documentary crews and ultra-low-budget projects will be able to obtain free permits.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Landscaped or unpaved areas adjacent to bicycle paths would be off limits under this ordinance and the 15 mph speed limit on bike paths would be reinforced.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordinance

Noun

In 2026, the Blake Burgess Blood Clot Prevention Act was passed in Oklahoma; Mississippi proposed similar legislation.

— Ali Ataya, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
The president leads the armed forces and can veto legislation, signs international treaties and appoints ambassadors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of legislation

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“Law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/law. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of law

noun

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Synonyms of law

noun

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Phrases Containing law

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