the letter of the law
noun phrase
: exactly what the law says
They seem to be more concerned with obeying the letter of the law than with understanding the spirit of the law.
Examples of the letter of the law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Answers that rely on following the letter of the law and contractual obligations ring increasingly hollow.
—
The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Take a moment to consider the differences between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
Swaying the vote of just one of these individuals could make all the difference in the election scenario outlined above, allowing Trump to utilize threats of force to ascend to the presidency in a way that technically follows the letter of the law while crushing its spirit.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Which are going above and beyond regulatory requirements as opposed to just adhering to the letter of the law?
—Matt Kunkel, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
But there were genuine differences of opinion on the letter of the law, which is called 620I [a section of the Foreign Assistance Act], and whether that criteria had been triggered.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2024
In doing so, Lynch—who has since revealed that the NFL taxed him upwards of $1.2 million for his refusal to engage with the press—obeyed the letter of the law while going all Father Merrin on the spirit of the thing.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Sep. 2024
While that is indeed the letter of the law, the court may extend the bankruptcy timeframe by as many as 300 days.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2024
This ousting, although within the letter of the law, was unprecedented.
—Gina Tam, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2017
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The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Take a moment to consider the differences between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
Swaying the vote of just one of these individuals could make all the difference in the election scenario outlined above, allowing Trump to utilize threats of force to ascend to the presidency in a way that technically follows the letter of the law while crushing its spirit.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Which are going above and beyond regulatory requirements as opposed to just adhering to the letter of the law?
—Matt Kunkel, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
But there were genuine differences of opinion on the letter of the law, which is called 620I [a section of the Foreign Assistance Act], and whether that criteria had been triggered.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2024
In doing so, Lynch—who has since revealed that the NFL taxed him upwards of $1.2 million for his refusal to engage with the press—obeyed the letter of the law while going all Father Merrin on the spirit of the thing.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Sep. 2024
While that is indeed the letter of the law, the court may extend the bankruptcy timeframe by as many as 300 days.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2024
This ousting, although within the letter of the law, was unprecedented.
—Gina Tam, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2017
Dictionary Entries Near the letter of the law
the letter of the law
Cite this Entry
“The letter of the law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20letter%20of%20the%20law. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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