Meaning & use
obeying
Last updated
Complying with an order, request, law, or instruction given by someone in authority.
See it in a sentence
The dog sat down immediately, obeying its owner's command.
Obeying the traffic signal, the driver waited for the light to turn green.
A note on using this word
The base verb 'obey' comes from the Latin 'oboedire,' literally 'to listen to,' reflecting the idea that obedience begins with hearing and heeding instructions.
Words with a similar meaning
complyingfollowing
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
disobeyingdefying
Make it your own
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