law-abiding
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
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.
"It has a huge impact on your law-abiding citizens as well."
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
Congress can also create a path to citizenship for those who have been in the United States lawfully, for a period of time, have been contributing to our communities, and are law-abiding.
From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2026
Advocates describe TPS beneficiaries as law-abiding members of their communities who contribute to the economy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
It was “free money” for law-abiding, tax-paying U.S. citizens.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 3, 2026
"Black men! Brothers! Black Brothers! That's not the way. We're law-abiding. We're a law-abiding people and a slow-to-anger people."
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
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.
