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

Soldiers on our streets just make even law-abiding citizens less free, and ultimately does little to fix the problems of poverty and opportunity that often start the cycles of crime.

From Los Angeles Times

They accept why criminals might be deported but believe law-abiding immigrants "paying taxes" deserve to stay.

From BBC

Immigration rights advocates said the court should not uphold “an extraordinarily expansive dragnet, placing millions of law-abiding people at imminent risk of detention by federal agents.”

From Los Angeles Times

I don’t think the average law-abiding white American has taken the mental journey of what it means to be abducted by authorities, which is a commonplace scenario in totalitarian societies.

From Salon

“Today’s ruling is a major step forward for the 2nd Amendment and the rights of every law-abiding citizen,” said Dan Wolgin, chief executive of Ammunition Depot, one of the plaintiffs in the case.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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