Synonyms for Lay down the law:

• v.

  •call the shots (verb)
  • be in the saddle,
  • wear the trousers,
  • make the rules,
  • make the decisions,
  • be in control.
  •command (verb)
  • enact,
  • cite,
  • beckon,
  • call for,
  • take lead,
  • force upon,
  • ban,
  • ordain,
  • dictate,
  • give orders,
  • instruct,
  • inflict,
  • impose,
  • charge,
  • exact,
  • interdict,
  • warn,
  • rule out,
  • compel,
  • tell,
  • give directions,
  • call,
  • send for,
  • forbid,
  • direct,
  • call the signals,
  • requisition,
  • bar,
  • bid,
  • adjure,
  • mark out,
  • prohibit,
  • set,
  • summon,
  • task,
  • restrain,
  • call on,
  • check,
  • proclaim,
  • appoint,
  • oblige,
  • enjoin,
  • put foot down,
  • debar,
  • require,
  • inhibit,
  • authorize,
  • subpoena,
  • order,
  • call upon,
  • ordinate,
  • take charge,
  • grant.
  •decree (verb)
  • demand,
  • put one's foot down,
  • read the riot act.
  •dictate (verb)
  • regiment,
  • call the play.
  •dispose (verb)
  • group,
  • put to rights,
  • make willing.
  •dominate (verb)
  • overrule,
  • head,
  • overbear,
  • prevail,
  • Superabound,
  • run the show,
  • subject,
  • have upper hand,
  • detract from,
  • monopolize,
  • subjugate,
  • predominate,
  • preponderate,
  • overshadow,
  • sit on top of,
  • play first fiddle,
  • lead by the nose,
  • outshine,
  • tyrannize,
  • hold sway over,
  • rule the roost,
  • prevail over,
  • handle,
  • reign,
  • have one's way,
  • eclipse,
  • keep under thumb,
  • domineer,
  • boss,
  • run.
  •govern (verb)
  • hold sway,
  • hold office,
  • exercise authority,
  • assume command,
  • hold dominion,
  • be in the driver's seat,
  • be in power,
  • wear the crown,
  • serve the people.
  •impose (verb)
  • trespass,
  • establish,
  • move in on,
  • place,
  • horn in,
  • infringe,
  • intrude,
  • take advantage,
  • levy,
  • promulgate,
  • enforce,
  • obtrude,
  • burden,
  • read riot act,
  • lay,
  • institute,
  • foist,
  • saddle,
  • encroach,
  • wreck,
  • introduce,
  • wish,
  • presume,
  • wreak,
  • lade,
  • visit.
  •inflict (verb)
  • expose,
  • strike,
  • mete out,
  • deal out,
  • extort,
  • bring upon,
  • stick it to,
  • give it to,
  • apply,
  • dispense,
  • give,
  • deliver.
  •ordain (verb)
  • deal with.
  •preponderate (verb)
  • reign supreme.
  •revile (verb)
  • reprimand,
  • abuse,
  • denounce,
  • rake over the coals,
  • scorn,
  • reprove,
  • blame,
  • disparage,
  • ream,
  • lecture,
  • tongue-lash,
  • give a talking to,
  • vilify,
  • vituperate,
  • denigrate,
  • castigate,
  • reproach,
  • lambaste,
  • reprobate,
  • censure,
  • berate,
  • admonish,
  • chide,
  • criticize.
  •rule (verb)
  • be in authority,
  • keep under one's thumb,
  • be in driver's seat.
  •scold (verb)
  • objurate,
  • recriminate,
  • light into,
  • put down.

• Other synonyms:

  •admonish
  • scold.
  •call the shots
  • be in saddle,
  • call shots.
  •command
  • calls upon,
  • marking out,
  • calling on,
  • sent for,
  • Enacting,
  • forced upon,
  • ordinating,
  • called upon,
  • ordinates,
  • inhibits,
  • taking charge,
  • requisitioned,
  • called on.
  •dominate
  • Subjected,
  • Subjecting,
  • predominates,
  • Tyrannized,
  • overborne,
  • overbears,
  • prevails,
  • over-bear,
  • led by the nose.
  •impose
  • saddled,
  • move on,
  • taking advantage,
  • Saddling,
  • Levied.
  •inflict
  • dealing out,
  • stick to,
  • giving to,
  • give to,
  • metes out,
  • dealt out,
  • sticks to,
  • stuck to,
  • meted out,
  • meting out.
  •insist
  • stood firm,
  • stand firm,
  • standing firm,
  • stands firm,
  • be firm,
  • insist,
  • take a stand.
  •rebuke
  • read the riot act to.
  •revile
  • Reaming,
  • Reamed,
  • Reprobating,
  • Reprobated,
  • tongue lash,
  • reviled,
  • rake over coals.
  •Other relevant words:
  • rail against,
  • assert oneself,
  • stand on,
  • dispose,
  • raise one's voice,
  • dogmatize.

Antonyms for Lay down the law:

• v.

  • command
    reject, follow, ask, recall, hinder, contradict, disallow, liberate, help, veto, refuse, assist, aid, prevent, reverse, revoke, permit, allow, countermand, cancel, approve, stop, free, conceal, oppose.
  • decree
    let go, delay, hide, hesitate.
  • dictate
    implore, request, mismanage.
  • dispose
    neglect, stay, change, remove, mix up, halt, displace, depart, dissuade, lose, ignore, upset, derange, obey, leave, destroy, confuse, comply, miss, consent, scatter, disperse, disarrange, unsettle, disorganize, disorder, disturb, discourage.
  • dominate
    submit, go along, be below, yield, surrender.
  • govern
    fail, abandon, give way, acquiesce, serve, agree.
  • impose
    forget, overlook.
  • inflict
    withhold, hold, take, keep.
  • insist
    tolerate, desert, reply, endure.
  • ordain
    void, deny, retract, receive.
  • preponderate
    fall behind.
  • revile
    commend, cherish, exonerate, compliment, praise, applaud, laud.
  • rule
    release, misguide, plead, mislead.
  • scold
    flatter, honor.
  • upbraid
    forgive.