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.
Juan, his family, and supporters remain steadfast in their confidence in his innocence and his characters as a hardworking, law-abiding member of society. Michael Loria, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025 These tax-paying, law-abiding Black women are up late at night, figuring out how to make a dollar out of 15 cents to pay their mortgage and up early the next morning praying for God to bless their job search. Sheletta Brundidge, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025 Villarreal pointed to growing Hispanic voter influence and support for President Trump’s proposal to allow law-abiding immigrant workers to obtain legal work status. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Safety shouldn’t be tied to deportations, especially in California, where our immigrants are overwhelmingly law-abiding community members. Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 9 Oct. 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 29 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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