law-abiding

adjective

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

Synonyms of law-abiding

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.
Put differently, the IRS is not trying to increase the enforcement against law-abiding citizens. Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Every day, by caprice, the lives of ordinary, law-abiding people—our neighbors—are being destroyed. Erin Neil, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026 My father wants to live the rest of his life as a present parent, a supportive family member, and a law-abiding citizen. Mark Curriden, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026 Ignoring the reality of modern warfare and the use of these forms of attack by enemy states would deprive law-abiding states of their legitimate right to self-defense. Sandeep Gopalan, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for law-abiding

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of law-abiding was in 1756

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Law-abiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/law-abiding. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.

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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