disobey

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To refuse to do what a rule, order, or person in authority says.

   Grammar: Often takes an object: disobey an order. It can also stand alone when the rule or person is already clear.

   Patterns

   • disobey a rule
   • disobey an order
   • disobey someone
   • disobey something

   Soldiers who disobey orders can face serious punishment.

   The child was punished for disobeying his parents.

   If you disobey the safety rules, you may be asked to leave.

2. 2verbtransitiveformal

   To fail to follow a law or official instruction.

   Grammar: Takes a direct object: disobey the law. It is more formal than 'break' in this sense.

   Patterns

   • disobey the law
   • disobey a court order

   Anyone who disobeys the law will be held responsible.

   She disobeyed a court order and had to pay a fine.

Word forms

Common combinations

disobey an order

He was ready to disobey an order he thought was wrong.

disobey the rules

Players who disobey the rules may be removed from the game.

refuse to disobey

She refused to disobey her conscience.

disobey a direct instruction

Disobeying a direct instruction from a manager can lead to a warning.

Synonyms and how they differ

defy

Stronger and more dramatic; it suggests open, confident refusal.

break

Common with rules and laws, but not usually with a person: break a rule, not break your teacher.

ignore

Means to pay no attention to something, not necessarily to refuse actively.

Opposites

Word family

disobedience noun

The act of refusing to follow rules or orders.

disobedient adjective

Not doing what you are told to do.

obey verb

To do what a rule or person tells you to do; the opposite of disobey.

Commonly confused: disobey or disobedient?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “disobey”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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