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law-abiding
adjective
law-abid·ing
ˈlȯ-ə-ˌbī-diŋ
: abiding by or obedient to the law
law-abiding citizens
law-abidingness
noun
Synonyms
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
Our commitment to protecting our city's law-abiding residents, both citizens and immigrants, remains unwavering.
—Dan Gooding, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Our village welcomes all law-abiding people, including legal immigrants of any nation.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
The argument Lopez and Tabares are making — that undocumented immigrants who otherwise are law-abiding, productive residents of our city can be better protected from the coming federal crackdown if local law enforcement helps the feds identify the truly bad apples — is worth consideration.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
Implementing more restrictive gun laws ignores this fact and, in so doing, only serves to further restrict the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1834, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near law-abiding
Cite this Entry
“Law-abiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/law-abiding. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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
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