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Synonyms

law and order

American  

noun

  1. strict control of crime and repression of violence, sometimes involving the possible restriction of civil rights.

law-and-order British  

noun

  1. (modifier) favouring or advocating strong measures to suppress crime and violence

    a law-and-order candidate
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
law and order Idioms  

  1. Strict enforcement of laws, especially for controlling crime. For example, Our candidate is always talking about law and order. The concept behind this term was stated by Aristotle. Today, however, it also carries the implication of infringing on civil rights in the course of too arduous law enforcement. [Late 1500s]

Etymology

Origin of law and order

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“In his new role as acting attorney general, Todd will continue to be a tireless advocate for sanity, law and order, and policies that keep Americans safe.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Also a former justice minister, Dati wants to boost law and order by giving weapons to municipal police officers and increasing video surveillance.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

On Wednesday, appearing at the White House for a Black History Month reception, the president told us we need law and order.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

Nearly a million police and soldiers have been deployed to maintain law and order.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

Political detainees all across the country had held a successful hunger strike, persuading the minister of law and order to release over nine hundred of them.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.