law-abiding
adjective
law-abid·ing
ˈlȯ-ə-ˌbī-diŋ 
: 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
The most conspicuous act of local resistance — albeit a mild one — was the plea from a group of sheriffs and police chiefs to ease up on deporting undocumented law-abiding immigrants and to provide a path to normalization for the vast majority who have broken no law except by being here.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, in deep-blue strongholds, law-abiding people and small shop owners keep getting treated like background characters in someone else’s morality play.
—Larry Clifton, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Most have remained law-abiding.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The right of law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for law-abiding
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, in deep-blue strongholds, law-abiding people and small shop owners keep getting treated like background characters in someone else’s morality play.
—Larry Clifton, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Most have remained law-abiding.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The right of law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for law-abiding
Cite this Entry
“Law-abiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/law-abiding. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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