Law
Law noun - A rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature.
Usage example: a record number of laws were passed in that legislative session
Rule is a synonym for law in principle topic. In some cases you can use "Rule" instead a noun "Law", when it comes to topics like standard, regulation, statute. popular alternative
Rule
Rule noun - A statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity.
Usage example: read the rules that are posted before you use the pool
Law is a synonym for rule in regulation topic. You can use "Law" instead a noun "Rule", if it concerns topics such as principle, standard. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
Both words in one sentence
- This is when a rule or law that is usually not given much thought is suddenly invoked.
Source: Suddenly Significant Rule -
The Bavarian fire drill was, in fact, a standard operating procedure for many of the show's pranks, which often involved the pranker (often one of the Funts) dressing up as some sort of public official and seeing how people reacted to some ridiculous rule or law they were supposedly enforcing.
Source: Series / Candid Camera - Their lack of success in whatever way they try is only surpassed by a motorcycle policeman's failures to book The General for breaking just about any law or rule the policeman thinks applicable.
Source: Road Runner vs. Coyote
Cite this Source
Rule and Law. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/law/rule
Law & Rule. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/law/rule>.
Rule or Law. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/law/rule.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "law" and "rule" have occurred on timeline