law-abiding
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- law-abidingness noun
Etymology
Origin of law-abiding
First recorded in 1830–40
Vocabulary lists containing law-abiding
Vocabulary from the Eleventh Republican Debate March 3, 2016
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Selection Vocabulary 1, Unit 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Such conduct undermines the dignity and rights of law-abiding citizens," the ministry said in a statement released on Thursday.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
It was “free money” for law-abiding, tax-paying U.S. citizens.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
They are hard-working, law-abiding members of their communities, and many are U.S. citizens.
From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026
And hundreds of thousands of law-abiding noncitizens will remain protected from deportation in the meantime.
From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026
Now even nonviolent law-abiding protests under the auspices of the ANC were illegal.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
