law-abiding

adjective

law-abid·​ing ˈlȯ-ə-ˌbī-diŋ How to pronounce law-abiding (audio)
: abiding by or obedient to the law
law-abiding citizens
law-abidingness noun

Examples of law-abiding in a Sentence

the law-abiding citizens of the neighborhood did everything they could to help reduce street crime
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Richard Nixon is a law-abiding guy On Nov. 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, in the midst of the Watergate scandal that would end his presidency, defended himself against charges of corruption. Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 2 May 2025 Sanctuary jurisdictions, in his view, decide their limited resources are better spent investigating people who commit serious crimes, rather than people who are in the United States illegally but are otherwise law-abiding. Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Apr. 2025 If a law-abiding citizen can face this for simply coming home, then no one is safe. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 For too long, our state representatives have turned a blind eye to the voices of victims and law-abiding citizens. Carl Demaio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for law-abiding

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of law-abiding was in 1834

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Law-abiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/law-abiding. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

law-abiding

adjective
law-abid·​ing
ˈlȯ-ə-ˌbīd-iŋ
: obedient to the law

Legal Definition

law-abiding

adjective
law-abid·​ing
ˈlȯ-ə-ˈbī-diŋ
: abiding by or obedient to the law
law-abidingness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on law-abiding

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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