supreme law

[səˈpriːm lɔː]
nounpl: supreme laws
lei suprema
1. The highest law of a country or jurisdiction that takes precedence over all other laws and constitutional provisions
The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States.
A Constituição é a lei suprema dos Estados Unidos.
2. A fundamental legal principle or statute that cannot be overridden by lower-ranking laws or regulations
In any democratic nation, the supreme law protects citizens' basic rights.
Em qualquer nação democrática, a lei suprema protege os direitos básicos dos cidadãos.
In the United States, 'supreme law' refers specifically to the Constitution as established in the Supremacy Clause (Article VI). In Brazil, 'lei suprema' refers to the Constitution (Constituição Federal) which holds the highest legal authority. This concept is fundamental to the rule of law and democratic governance in both countries.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
constitutional lawfundamental lawbasic lawparamount law
Antonyms / Antônimos
subordinate lawinferior lawsecondary legislation

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
lei suprema
Standard term used in legal and constitutional contexts
Rio de Janeiro
lei suprema
No significant regional variation
São Paulo
lei suprema
No significant regional variation
Portugal
lei suprema
Equivalent term used in Portuguese constitutional law

Related Words

constitutionconstitutionalismconstitutional hierarchyrule of lawjudicial reviewstatutory law

Related Idioms & Phrases

supremacy of the law
the law of the land
constitutional supremacy
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