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.
Getaway cars very rarely are known for their safe, law-abiding driving. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025 Upon hearing the news about the internal D.O.J. discussions, the National Rifle Association issued a statement declaring its opposition to limiting the Second Amendment rights of any law-abiding citizen—though the N.R.A. did not explicitly name trans people. Grace Byron, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025 Furthermore, law-abiding citizens should not be subject to despicable assaults on their liberty by unaccountable health bureaucrats. Martin Cullip, Boston Herald, 1 Oct. 2025 President Donald Trump and Administration officials have repeatedly insisted his hard-line immigration agenda is focused on rooting out and expelling dangerous criminals, painting their efforts to carry out mass deportations as a means of protecting law-abiding Americans. Connor Greene, Time, 29 Sep. 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 18 Oct. 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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