law-abiding

adjective

law-abid·​ing ˈlȯ-ə-ˌbī-diŋ 

: abiding by or obedient to the law

law-abiding citizens

law-abidingness noun

Synonyms of law-abiding

• obedient

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 Justice Department concluded Friday that the federal government cannot criminally enforce a prohibition on licensed dealers selling handguns to law-abiding adults ages 18-20 because the restriction violates the Second Amendment. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026

The new immigration authority is one more tool for troopers to keep law-abiding citizens safe, the state agency says. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026

Ridership will only return when RTD and the city finally prioritize the safety of law-abiding, fare-paying citizens. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2026

On this occasion, the members refrained from engaging in violence and property damage, projecting an image of law-abiding, orderly activism. — Odette Yousef, NPR, 11 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for law-abiding

• coinciding
• overriding
• subdividing
• abiding
• backsliding
• colliding
• confiding
• deciding
• deriding
• dividing
• nitriding
• presiding

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