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

“Passage in accordance with international law. No challenge is intended to you, and I intend to abide by rules of our government’s cease-fire,” the U.S. ship responded.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

While most tech companies have pledged to abide by Australian laws, they have warned that the heavy-handed move could simply push teens to darker, less-regulated corners of the internet.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

If she wishes to continue to receive your financial support, it makes sense that she should abide by your rules.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Twitter took Musk to court in order to force the multi-billionaire to abide by the deal, and in early October Musk did so, taking over Twitter at the originally agreed upon price.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

“I do hope you will not make a habit of it, or Frankie will have to find alternative housing. I will not abide by strangers in my home.”

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros