abide by

verb

abided by; abiding by; abides by
Synonyms of abide bynext

transitive verb

: to accept or conform to without objection
abide by the rules/law
will abide by your decision

Examples of abide by in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Courts still must abide by their precedents and these three legal pillars if a lawsuit hits their dockets. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 22 June 2026 But as a rookie, Wilson doesn’t plan to abide by that hierarchy. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 Failure to abide by this condition could mean losing your security deposit, or even being evicted. — Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 23 June 2026 Players must abide by rules concerning on-court conduct Just as ticket holders are to uphold a certain level of etiquette during matches, the players are expected to do the same. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for abide by

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abide by was in the 15th century

Rhymes for abide by

See All Rhymes for abide by

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Abide by.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abide%20by. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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