abide by

Idioms  

1. Accept and act in accordance with a decision or set of rules; also, remain faithful to. For example, All members must agree to abide by the club regulations, or A trustworthy man abides by his word. An older sense of the verb abide, “remain,” is still familiar in the well-known 19th-century hymn “Abide with Me,” which asks God to stay with the singer in time of trouble. [Early 1500s]

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Example Sentences

It’s formal, but I know you’ve been here for a long time, and I want to abide by the correct channels.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026

Although platforms have pledged to abide by the laws, they have warned the measures could instead push teenagers into dark, unregulated corners of the internet.

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

“My job is to abide by the rules,” Treinen said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

He added that Sodexo were happy to abide by police recommendations, which included no 500ml cans and that the sale of tins and alcohol should stop if there are any problems.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

“I guess we’ll have to abide by it,” Mayor Gayle sighed, “because it’s the law.”

From "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose