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Synonyms

law-abiding

American  
[law-uh-bahy-ding] / ˈlɔ əˌbaɪ dɪŋ /

adjective

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

    law-abiding citizens.


law-abiding British  

adjective

  1. adhering more or less strictly to the laws

    a law-abiding citizen

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of law-abiding

First recorded in 1830–40

Vocabulary lists containing law-abiding

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.

See Examples For:

Flock cameras have solved many crimes in Houston, Texas and made it a safer place for law-abiding citizens.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 28, 2026

On a practical level, he added, the data sharing increased the risk of breaches that can open law-abiding citizens up to identity theft.

From Salon Aug. 15, 2026

The American Dream and Promise Act offers pathways to permanent status for Dreamers, those who were eligible for temporary protected status, and certain other highly vetted law-abiding noncitizens who now risk arrest, detention, and deportation.

From Slate Aug. 4, 2026

"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 just didn’t seem in character, somehow, for correct, law-abiding Mr. Crouch to be sneaking around somebody else’s office this late at night....

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

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