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 The senators noted that the bulk of the new law’s provisions were to be effective Sunday. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 The Legislature changed state law to ban the government from spending public funds on political ads. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 According to South Korean law, Tan could face a prison term if found guilty. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The company notes that schedules may change because of local laws or other requirements. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for law

Recent Examples of Synonyms for law

Noun

People went through the admission and security checkpoints without issues, and the event’s early evening acts enjoyed mostly dry stages with light, intermittent rain.

— Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
To assure further compliance, Section 5 of the act required those states to get approval from the Justice Department or a court before making any changes to their electoral systems.

— Jeffrey Toobin, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of act

Noun

Voters in Charlotte also face six referendums, including three proposals that could amend the state constitution.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
At the ballot box, voters have overwhelmingly rejected major pieces of the party’s agenda, including an effort to weaken their power to bypass the legislature by amending the constitution or putting laws passed by lawmakers to a statewide vote.

— Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of constitution

Noun

Beginning in the late 1990s, O’Neal has worked part-time with several police departments and even became a reserve officer in both Los Angeles and Miami.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Roseville police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with the fatal stabbing of a homeless woman downtown earlier this week, authorities said.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of police

Noun

Noah Seelam | Afp | Getty Images Fund outflows and a rising energy bill are expected to keep putting pressure on India's rupee, even as the central bank works to slow depreciation.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Another bill, the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, would guarantee for the first time that every public-sector worker in the country has the right to bargain collectively.

— Liz Shuler, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of bill

Noun

Reintroducing Collection was a significant milestone for Calvin Klein, and Veronica’s exceptional talent and fresh perspective on Calvin’s iconic design codes helped build meaningful momentum for Collection.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Under the arrangement with Discover-Tech, targets with specific profiles of interest to the Candiru customers received ads that carried JavaScript or other code that connected to Candiru’s control servers.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of code

Noun

Someone who has just been arrested for driving under the influence isn’t thinking about statutes, motions and legal procedure.

— Matthew Nigro, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
On the other hand, the fossil fuel industry contends the legislation would prevent states and environmental groups from weaponizing courts to stop projects for reasons beyond what is written in federal statutes.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of statute

Noun

The ordinance placed on first reading would apply to all new developments, unless the land is zoned agricultural or residential.

— Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Both the Los Angeles Police Department and city attorney’s office declined to answer questions about how the new ordinance would be enforced.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordinance

Noun

Others are skeptical the task force can accomplish much in such a short time period, arguing that eventually sweeping new legislation will be needed to regulate AI.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Connecticut's legislation covers a broader range of retail purchases.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of legislation

Articles Related to law

Cite this Entry

Style

“Law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/law. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of law

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

A Complaint About Using 'Lawsuit' For...

12 Words from the Wrong Side of the Law

'Positive', 'Cheat', and 7 Other Words...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of law

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing law

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to law

A Complaint About Using 'Lawsuit' For...

12 Words from the Wrong Side of the Law

'Positive', 'Cheat', and 7 Other Words...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes