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Definitions

law-abiding

[law-uh-bahy-ding] / ˈlɔ əˌbaɪ dɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
honest
Synonyms
STRONGEST
authentic conscientious decent equitable fair forthright genuine honorable impartial proper reliable sincere straightforward true trustworthy virtuous
WEAK
aboveboard bona fide direct ethical fair and square frank high-minded ingenuous just lay it on the line like it is no lie on the level on the up and up open outright plain real reputable scrupulous straight true blue trusty undisguised unfeigned upfront upright veracious what you see is what you get
Antonyms
STRONGEST
biased corrupt counterfeit deceitful deceptive devious dishonest false insincere irresponsible partial prejudiced unfair unjust unreal unreasonable unreliable unsuitable untrustworthy
WEAK
fraudulent lying misleading treacherous untruthful
ADJECTIVE
honorable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conscientious distinguished ethical honest illustrious noble principled reliable respectable righteous sincere straightforward trustworthy virtuous
WEAK
acclaimed celebrated chivalrous dependable eminent esteemed faithful forthright high-principled honored just knightly notable of good repute on the up and up sterling truthful unstained upright
Antonyms
STRONGEST
corrupt deceptive devious dishonest immoral irresponsible lowly unethical unjust unreliable untrustworthy
ADJECTIVE
obedient
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attentive compliant deferential devoted docile dutiful faithful loyal respectful subservient
WEAK
acquiescent amenable at one's beck and call biddable complaisant controllable docious duteous governable honoring in one's clutches in one's pocket in one's power obeisant obliging observant on a string pliant regardful resigned reverential sheeplike tame tractable under control venerating well-trained willing wrapped around finger yielding
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disloyal disobedient inconsiderate inconstant neglectful unfaithful
WEAK
contrary insolent misbehaving mutinous obstinate rebellious
ADJECTIVE
ordered
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arranged controlled organized
STRONG
disciplined systematized tidy
WEAK
all together businesslike in good shape in order methodical neat peaceable precise shipshape systematic well-behaved well-organized
ADJECTIVE
orderly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
calm disciplined manageable nonviolent quiet restrained tranquil
WEAK
at peace controlled decorous docile obedient peaceable submissive well-mannered
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitated loud noisy turbulent violent wild
WEAK
bad complicated disorderly disorganized misbehaving unmethodical unruly unsystematic untidy
ADJECTIVE
righteous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conscientious ethical honorable noble pure spiritual upright virtuous
WEAK
angelic blameless charitable commendable creditable deserving devoted devout dutiful equitable exemplary fair faithful godlike guiltless holy impartial innocent irreproachable just laudable matchless meritorious moral peerless philanthropic philanthropical praiseworthy punctilious reverent right-minded saintly scrupulous sinless sterling trustworthy worthy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
corrupt dishonest immoral unethical unjust vulgar
WEAK
bad unfair
ADJECTIVE
solid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decent genuine good real satisfactory satisfying serious
STRONG
constant sound stalwart trusty upright worthy
WEAK
cogent estimable levelheaded pure sensible sober steadfast trustworthy upstanding valid
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dishonest
STRONG
dishonorable disreputable unrespected untrustworthy
WEAK
undependable unreliable
ADJECTIVE
straight
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decent good straightforward
STRONG
frank moral plain summary upright
WEAK
aboveboard accurate authentic bald blunt candid categorical equitable fair and square forthright honorable just outright point-blank reliable respectable trustworthy unqualified
Antonyms
STRONG
dishonest
WEAK
corrupt unfair unjust

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 was “free money” for law-abiding, tax-paying U.S. citizens.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Those laws are said “to provide an incentive for parents to carefully supervise kids and help them develop into mature, law-abiding adults.”

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2026

“For decades he lived a law-abiding life, raising his children and working in various cultural arenas,” they wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

This “will expose a lot of law-breakers that are harming Floridians, harming law-abiding people who want to get into the workforce,” House sponsor Berny Jacques said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Parents, students, citizens, school officials, and public officials of these areas met their responsibilities in a dignified, law-abiding way.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.