law noun
1-) official rule or system of rules
ADJECTIVES
draconian, restrictive, strict, stringent, tough
・Due to strict traffic laws, speeding and reckless driving were heavily fined.
discriminatory, oppressive, repressive, unjust
・Unjust laws can lead to widespread discontent and civil unrest.
federal, international, national, state
・Constitutional rights are protected by federal law.
commercial, electoral, environmental, humanitarian, matrimonial
・Environmental law heavily intertwined with administrative law.
・Under matrimonial law, assets and liabilities are often divided between spouses.
administrative, case, civil, common, constitutional, contract, criminal, statute, etc.
・The burden of proof is higher in criminal cases compared to civil cases.
VERBS
administer, apply, enforce • become
・The comprehensive reform package became law in July 2022.
obey, observe, respect, uphold
・Children should be taught to obey the law.
breach, break, contravene, disobey, flout, infringe, transgress, violate
・Individuals who repeatedly break the law may face harsher punishments.
adopt, enact, implement, impose, introduce, pass
・The government plans to introduce new laws to combat cybercrime.
alter, amend, change, reform, review, revise • extend
・It is necessary to amend the law to ensure equal rights for everyone.
abolish, overturn, repeal, annul
・After much debate, the controversial laws were finally repealed.
strengthen, tighten • liberalize, relax
・The government is taking steps to strengthen the law against corporate fraud.
clarify, interpret • formulate, make • challenge
・The judge's role is to interpret the law and apply it to the case at hand.
control, govern, regulate
・The laws governing traffic regulate the behavior of drivers on the roads.
allow, authorize, permit
・The law allows individuals to exercise their freedom of speech.
ban, forbid, prevent, prohibit, regulate
・The law banning the use of cell phones while driving aims to improve road safety.
dictate, force, oblige, prescribe, require
・Wearing a seatbelt is required by law to ensure driver and passenger safety.
say, state, stipulate
・The law states that individuals must be of a certain age to vote in elections.
affect, apply to, cover
・The law applies to all citizens, regardless of their social or economic status.
limit, restrict
・The law limits the amount of time a person can be held in custody without trial.
recognize • change
・The law recognizes the rights of individuals to freedom of religion and worship.
NOUNS
court • enforcement, enforcer, reform
・Police officers are the enforcers of law and order in society.
PREPOSITIONS
above the
・No one should consider themselves above the law.
against the
・Stealing is against the law and can lead to criminal charges.
by
・By law, all drivers must have a valid driver's license.
within the
・It is important to always act within the law to avoid legal consequences.
against
・I'll stay in bed as long as I like; there's no law against it.
on
・The law on compensation is very much a grey area.
concerning, relating to
・the law relating to fraud and commercial affairs
・The law concerning privacy protects individuals' personal information.
PHRASES
as the law stands
・As the law stands, the minimum age to vote is 18 years old.
law and order
・If law and order break down, anarchy will result.
the letter of the law
・Legal professionals are trained to understand and apply the letter of the law accurately.
take the law into your own hands
・It is not advisable to take the law into your own hands; instead, report any concerns to the appropriate authorities.
2-) area of study or job
VERBS
practise
・He has been practising law for over 20 years.
NOUNS
firm
・She joined a prestigious law firm.