as in obedient
readily giving in to the command or authority of another
the law-abiding citizens of the neighborhood did everything they could to help reduce street crime
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Recent Examples of law-abiding
Thousands of law-abiding Americans do this every day.
—
Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
In a joint statement, the Democratic leaders said Trump promised the American people that his deportation policy would focus on violent felons in the country illegally, but instead, ICE has targeted American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Put differently, the IRS is not trying to increase the enforcement against law-abiding citizens.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Every day, by caprice, the lives of ordinary, law-abiding people—our neighbors—are being destroyed.
—Erin Neil, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for law-abiding
Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
In a joint statement, the Democratic leaders said Trump promised the American people that his deportation policy would focus on violent felons in the country illegally, but instead, ICE has targeted American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Put differently, the IRS is not trying to increase the enforcement against law-abiding citizens.
—Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Every day, by caprice, the lives of ordinary, law-abiding people—our neighbors—are being destroyed.
—Erin Neil, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for law-abiding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for law-abiding
obedient
Adjective
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The audience would do well to stay attuned to this goal — and how obedient Nat is willing to be.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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The Intelligence Age doesn’t require obedient workers.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Law-abiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/law-abiding. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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