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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
Measuring various outcomes beyond age and education, like innovation, language skills, home and business ownership, income growth, and law-abiding citizenship, will help the U.S. take the lead in welcoming immigrants with high adaptability, ambition, and ingenuity scores.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
The wizard is outed as a fraud (both Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible play these scenes with the pitch-perfect precision that comes only with their experience) who is trying to use Elphaba’s powers to oppress animals (who are walking, talking, law-abiding citizens in Oz).
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 22 Nov. 2024
Ewing added Dering took the proper law-abiding steps and noted consumers who are concerned about privacy don’t need to disclose their personal information.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
Friends, work associates, and neighbors describe Ms. Parker as law-abiding, trustworthy, dependable, and dedicated person.
—The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
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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 8 Jan. 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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