law-abiding

adjective

law-abid·​ing ˈlȯ-ə-ˌbī-diŋ How to pronounce law-abiding (audio)
: 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
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for law-abiding 

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of law-abiding was in 1834

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

More from Merriam-Webster on law-abiding

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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