: the enactment of laws (see law entry 1 sense 1a(1)) and their strict enforcement by police and the courts
He has touted his conservative approach to local government, emphasizing law and order and conservative fiscal policies.—
Andrew Quintana and Daniela Flamini
Andrew Quintana and Daniela FlaminiBut Rucker said Deters' view of law and order can be inconsistent. He pointed to Deters' decision to not pursue charges against former Bengal Adam "Pacman" Jones, who was accused in 2017 of spitting on a jail nurse—a felony crime, Rucker said.—Kevin Grasha
Kevin Grasha
also
: the safe, civil, and orderly functioning of society viewed especially as a result of the enactment and strict enforcement of laws
"We're looking to you, Councillor, and to the other leading citizens, to help us in upholding law and order in this township." —Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle Another thing that impressed itself upon me throughout England was the high regard that all classes have for law and order, and the ease and thoroughness with which everything is done. —Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington It is both wrong and dangerous to threaten to deploy American soldiers against American citizens unless there is a complete breakdown of law and order in a state and the governor requests that assistance. —William Perry
William Perry
law-and-or·der
ˈlȯ-ən(d)-ˈor-dər 
: relating to, characterized by, or advocating the enactment of laws and their strict enforcement
All these years, I've thought of Henry Hyde as a law-and-order kind of guy. A real hardnose when it comes to punishing those who break the law.—Mike Royko
Mike Royko… all four dissenters were recent appointees of Richard Nixon, who had won the White House with a carefully orchestrated law-and-order campaign.—David Oshinsky
David OshinskySimon Kuper … says the Dutch public is more receptive than ever to law-and-order policies. The murders of Fortuyn in 2002 and Theo van Gogh, a controversial filmmaker in 2004, left the Dutch with a profound fear of chaos and disorder, and a negative self-image.—Thijs Niemantsverdriet
Thijs NiemantsverdrietExamples of law and order in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Bedford, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Sep. 2024
The page features four main sections, highlighting various policy ideas on the economy, freedoms, law and order and national security.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
In a shift away from progressive policies and towards law-and-order measures, California has voted to reclassify certain nonviolent crimes, including shoplifting, as felonies once again.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
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Noun
The Democrats’ messaging pivot reflects the massive shift in the politics around crime, judicial norms, and law and order in just the past few years.
—Sarah Bedford, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Sep. 2024
The page features four main sections, highlighting various policy ideas on the economy, freedoms, law and order and national security.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Adjective
Proposition 36, the retrograde law-and-order ballot measure that will almost certainly lead to more incarceration for minor crimes, passed overwhelmingly — perhaps signaling that rightward lean.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
In a shift away from progressive policies and towards law-and-order measures, California has voted to reclassify certain nonviolent crimes, including shoplifting, as felonies once again.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for law and order
Dictionary Entries Near law and order
Cite this Entry
“Law and order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/law%20and%20order. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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