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
Any good, law-abiding citizens would know better than to put themselves in harm’s way.
—
Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
There are so many Somali Americans like me who are law-abiding, hardworking, and deeply invested in this country.
—Abdi Nor Iftin, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Thousands of law-abiding Americans do this every day.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
In a joint statement, the Democratic leaders said Trump promised the American people that his deportation policy would focus on violent felons in the country illegally, but instead, ICE has targeted American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
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Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
There are so many Somali Americans like me who are law-abiding, hardworking, and deeply invested in this country.
—Abdi Nor Iftin, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
Thousands of law-abiding Americans do this every day.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
In a joint statement, the Democratic leaders said Trump promised the American people that his deportation policy would focus on violent felons in the country illegally, but instead, ICE has targeted American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 2026.
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