law-abiding

[law-uh-bahy-ding]

adjective

1. obeying or keeping the law; obedient to law.

   law-abiding citizens.

law-abiding

adjective

1. adhering more or less strictly to the laws

   a law-abiding citizen

Other Word Forms

• law-abidingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of law-abiding¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Safety shouldn’t be tied to deportations, especially in California, where our immigrants are overwhelmingly law-abiding community members.

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She attacked Newsom, saying he should "stand on the side of law-abiding citizens instead of violent criminals destroying Portland and cities across the country."

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Three years ago, Supreme Court ruled that law-abiding gun owners had a 2nd Amendment right to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon when they leave home.

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Still, Paulsen acknowledged that many of the people who eventually move in will probably be law-abiding.

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Gen. Pam Bondi said Monday that the DOJ was working to safeguard the 2nd Amendment, which “protects the fundamental constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms.”

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Related Words

• authentic 
• conscientious 
• decent 
• equitable 
• fair 
• forthright 
• genuine 
• honorable 
• impartial 
• proper 
• reliable 
• sincere 
• straightforward 
• true 
• trustworthy 
• virtuous