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
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
Reinstating another broad ban doesn’t seem possible — the Florida appeals court that struck down the state ban said ordinary, law-abiding citizens can’t be forbidden from openly carrying a firearm.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
But also, our community has a problem with law-abiding citizens being incarcerated under the guise that this is effective violence [prevention].
—Dorothy Tucker, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for law-abiding
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.
Sandeep Gopalan, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
Reinstating another broad ban doesn’t seem possible — the Florida appeals court that struck down the state ban said ordinary, law-abiding citizens can’t be forbidden from openly carrying a firearm.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
But also, our community has a problem with law-abiding citizens being incarcerated under the guise that this is effective violence [prevention].
—Dorothy Tucker, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
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
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 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share