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Some common synonyms of law<\/em> are canon<\/em><\/a>, ordinance<\/em><\/a>, precept<\/em><\/a>, regulation<\/em><\/a>, rule<\/em><\/a>, and statute<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"a principle governing action or procedure,\" law<\/em> implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.<\/p>

\/\/ obey the law<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'canon' be used to replace 'law'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words canon<\/em><\/a> and law<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, canon<\/em> suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.<\/p>

\/\/ the canons<\/em> of good taste<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'ordinance' be used instead of 'law'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to law<\/em>, ordinance<\/em><\/a> applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.<\/p>

\/\/ a city ordinance<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'precept' be a good substitute for 'law'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words precept<\/em><\/a> and law<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but precept<\/em> commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.<\/p>

\/\/ the precepts<\/em> of effective writing<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'regulation' be a better fit than 'law'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of regulation<\/em><\/a> and law<\/em> largely overlap; however, regulation<\/em> implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.<\/p>

\/\/ regulations<\/em> affecting nuclear power plants<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'rule' a more appropriate choice than 'law'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words rule<\/em><\/a> and law<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rule<\/em> applies to more restricted or specific situations.<\/p>

\/\/ the rules<\/em> of the game<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'statute' instead of 'law'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words statute<\/em><\/a> and law<\/em> have much in common, statute<\/em> implies a law enacted by a legislative body.<\/p>

\/\/ a statute<\/em> requiring the use of seat belts<\/p>" } } ] }

law

noun

ˈlȯ How to pronounce law (audio)
Definition of lawnext
1
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
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 California has passed legislation before aimed at making social media platforms and chatbots safer but faced pushback from tech industry groups that have sued to stop new laws from taking effect. —Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026 Unions and businesses Brin’s committee is also supporting a proposal from the California Chamber of Commerce to overhaul of the California Environmental Quality Act, a significant law that requires environmental review and public input on new development and infrastructure projects. —Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026 The 1996 law, signed by then-President Bill Clinton, codified the embargo into law, while also tightening sanctions against the island. —Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 Rallies have been rare since anti-war protests were brutally suppressed in 2022, with political prosecutions skyrocketing and laws restricting dissent multiplying. —ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for law
Recent Examples of Synonyms for law
  1. act
  2. constitution
  3. police
  4. bill
  5. code
  6. statute
  7. ordinance
  8. legislation
Noun
  • Our lawmakers who passed this act have their rewards, and doubtless many of them got rewarded with votes in the last election because of it.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Others may opt to take on new spiritual practices, such as daily prayer or acts of charity.
    — Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of act
Noun
  • Sharaa, who has signed a five-year transitional document that serves as a de facto constitution, seems aware of the risks and has thus far been able to outflank his potential rivals and saboteurs, keeping his country out of the ongoing regional war.
    — Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Voters, in approving adding gambling to the state constitution, approved language assigning up to 15,000 slot machines divided between those facilities.
    — Bryan P. Sears, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of constitution
Noun
  • During an appeal last year of his indictment by a Haitian investigative judge, Badio accused Haiti’s judicial police of missing security lapses in the president’s detail.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Another person died during the attack after being inadvertently shot by police.
    — KRUTIKA PATHI, Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of police
Noun
  • His mandate will be reassuring US consumers about the trajectory of their energy bills — gasoline is now nearly $4 per gallon on average nationwide, the highest level since 2023.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The president then urged Senate Republicans to combine all of those bills and amendments into one piece of legislation, eliminate the filibuster, and skip their two-week Easter recess, due to start at the end of this week, if needed to pass it.
    — Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of bill
Noun
  • The process runs through Transportation and Public Works, but the final decision belongs to Austin City Council, which must pass an ordinance, according to city code.
    — Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Whatever used to be fun (coding your first game, say) is replaced by something that’s not (debugging your code).
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of code
Noun
  • Unlike most other defendants in cases the statute was intended to remedy, Moss did not carry out the violence herself.
    — Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The commission agreed to allow Earthrise to mow the property only once between May and October, rather than five times as required by statute, as the company said more mowings could negatively affect native pollinators and habitats.
    — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of statute
Noun
  • Edged has already conducted environmental and auditory studies, Callahan said, finding that the maximum noise levels emitting from the data center would be lower than Fort Worth’s noise ordinance level – 60 decibels.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Other jurisdictions have adopted similar ordinances, including the cities of West Sacramento and San Diego, and Placer and Nevada counties.
    — Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of ordinance
Noun
  • Under that legislation, state and local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from working with reality TV shows.
    — Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Sacks said the next step is to work with Congress to turn the administration's principles into federal legislation.
    — SEUNG MIN KIM, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of legislation

Phrases Containing law

Browse Nearby Words

lavishness
law
law-abiding
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Cite this Entry

“Law.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/law. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of law for Spanish Speakers

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