law-abiding
[law-uh-bahy-ding]
- obeying or keeping the law; obedient to law: law-abiding citizens.
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Origin of law-abiding
First recorded in 1830–40
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
devotedfaithfulcompliantdeferentialloyaldocilesubservientdutifulattentiverespectfullaw-abidingcontrolledorganizedquietcalmnonviolenttranquilmanageablerestraineddisciplinedExamples from the Web for law-abiding
Contemporary Examples
The cops had come up short, unable to find the two men in a sea of several hundred thousand law-abiding people.
How to Get Away With Stealing $2 Million in Jewelry in the Heart of New YorkJohn Surico
November 13, 2014
Most Muslims, like most people everywhere, are peaceable and law-abiding.
The majority of these people are hardworking, law-abiding citizens who believe in strong family values.
She makes bold statements that IQ, law-abiding or -breaking tendencies and political alignment are all genetically determined.
I completely support the right of law-abiding citizens to own and use guns for sport and self-protection.
Historical Examples
The latter of the two, the dance of peace, is suitable to orderly and law-abiding men.
LawsPlato
I was mad clean through, but I'm law-abiding, generally speaking.
Cape Cod StoriesJoseph C. Lincoln
He regarded his duty as a man, and not as a law-abiding citizen.
The Golden WomanRidgwell Cullum
As for the latter, these are Dacotahs—one of the most law-abiding tribes.
The Fiery TotemArgyll Saxby
The inhabitants are law-abiding and crimes of violence are very rare.
The Hawaiian IslandsThe Department of Foreign Affairs
law-abiding
- adhering more or less strictly to the lawsa law-abiding citizen
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for law-abiding
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper