lawyer

noun

law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər How to pronounce lawyer (audio) ˈlȯi-ər How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
Synonyms of lawyernext
: one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise as to legal rights and obligations in other matters
lawyerlike
ˈlȯ-yər-ˌlīk How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
ˈlȯi-ər-
adjective
lawyerly
ˈlȯ-yər-lē How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
ˈlȯi-ər-
adjective

Synonyms of lawyer

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Examples of lawyer in a Sentence

their lawyers told them that they couldn't use the park for the concert without permission from the city
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Defense lawyer Lawrence Obonyo, who represents Mackenzie and almost all of the others convicted, said he had been instructed to appeal. — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 Among the 105 people who were ultimately arrested, 75 are believed to have been deported to their home countries, according to local media, and 26 were released from ICE custody after their lawyers filed habeas corpus petitions. — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026 Her lawyer, Craig Harbaugh, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday. — David Douglas, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026 The Florida Democratic Party said in a news release the case has no standing and that Republicans are trying to get a judge to remove the ads before Democratic lawyers can respond in court. — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lawyer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lawyer was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing lawyer

Rhymes for lawyer

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Browse Nearby Words

law-worthy
lawyer
lawyer bush
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Cite this Entry

“Lawyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawyer. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lawyer

noun
law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər How to pronounce lawyer (audio) ˈlȯi-ər How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
: a person whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise about legal rights and obligations

Legal Definition

lawyer

noun
law·​yer ˈlȯ-yər How to pronounce lawyer (audio)
: one whose profession is to advise clients as to legal rights and obligations and to represent clients in legal proceedings

More from Merriam-Webster on lawyer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lawyer

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