law-abiding
Respecting the rules
Law-abiding describes someone who follows the law, particularly as a habitual trait rather than a momentary choice: law-abiding citizens, a law-abiding community.
The term often appears in contexts distinguishing ordinary people from criminals: Law-abiding gun owners shouldn't be punished for the actions of criminals.
Following commands willingly
- dutifulMotivated by obligation
- conformingMeeting accepted standards
- rule-followingAdhering to regulations
- respectfulShowing proper regard
disciplined · compliant · deferential · observant · conventional · orderly · well-behaved · proper
Vertical or morally sound
- honorableHaving high moral standards
- righteousMorally good, justified
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- ethicalConforming to moral principles
moral · decent · upstanding · good · conscientious · scrupulous · virtuous · respectable
Free from deception
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
- dependableWorthy of trust
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
- accountableObligated to explain oneself
trustworthy · faithful · credible · steadfast · loyal · consistent · true · sincere
obedient
Following commands willingly
- dutifulMotivated by obligation
- conformingMeeting accepted standards
- rule-followingAdhering to regulations
respectful · disciplined · compliant · deferential · observant · conventional · orderly · well-behaved · proper · docile
upright
Vertical or morally sound
- honorableHaving high moral standards
- righteousMorally good, justified
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
ethical · moral · decent · upstanding · good · conscientious · scrupulous · virtuous · respectable · wholesome
honest
Free from deception
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
- dependableWorthy of trust
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
accountable · trustworthy · faithful · credible · steadfast · loyal · consistent · true · sincere · genuine
- obedienceobedience, compliance, subordination, deference, docility
- conformityconformity, conforming, conform, conformist, conformism
- integrityintegrity, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, rectitude
- submissivesubmissive, subservient, obedient, servile, docile
- refinedrefined, polite, proper, gracious, elegant
- uprightupright, erect, vertical, perpendicular, standing
law-abidingcriminal
Person who breaks laws
lawbreaking · lawless · unlawful · delinquent · felonious
law-abidingdisobedient
Refusing to follow orders
defiant · rebellious · unruly · insubordinate · noncompliant
law-abidinglawless
Not bound by rules
anarchic · disorderly · rogue · ungovernable · untoward
laws, lawful, lawless, lawsuit, abiding, legalize, abide, lawmaker, lawbreaker