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 bill aims to ensure that firearms retailers are not unjustly targeted by payment card networks or other financial entities, and purchases by law-abiding citizens are protected from monitoring and denial by the government. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 But in reality, this preemptive action discourages voting by law-abiding U.S. citizens who vote in some, but not all, elections. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 And any law-abiding American will file disclosures on the trusts every year to the IRS. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2024 The gun lobby will insist that taxing law-abiding businesses to address the bad actions of criminals is unfair. Eileen McCarron, The Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2024 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 23 Nov. 2024.

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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