Standard Lemma guide

law-abiding

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Obeying the laws of society; not a lawbreaker; without a criminal record.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear from government surveillance... unless the government begins to break the law.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

(of individuals) adhering strictly to laws and rules and customs

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • law-abiding citizens
  • observant of the speed limit

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: observant

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 守法的 (shǒufǎ de) — obeying the laws
  • Danish: lovlydig — obeying the laws
  • Dutch: gezagsgetrouw — obeying the laws
  • Finnish: lainkuuliainen — obeying the laws
  • French: respectueux de la loi — obeying the laws
  • German: gesetzestreu — obeying the laws
  • German: das Gesetz beachtend — obeying the laws
  • Greek: νομοταγής (nomotagís) — obeying the laws
  • Hungarian: törvénytisztelő — obeying the laws
  • Italian: rispettoso della legge — obeying the laws
  • Polish: praworządny — obeying the laws
  • Portuguese: cumpridor da lei — obeying the laws
  • Portuguese: obediente à lei — obeying the laws
  • Russian: законопослу́шный (zakonoposlúšnyj) — obeying the laws
  • Spanish: obediente de la ley — obeying the laws
  • Spanish: respetuoso de la ley — obeying the laws
  • Swedish: laglydig — obeying the laws
  • Ukrainian: законослухня́ний (zakonosluxnjányj) — obeying the laws