disobedience

noun

dis·​obe·​di·​ence ˌdis-ə-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s 

-ō-ˈbē-

: refusal or neglect to obey

Synonyms of disobedience

• rebellion
• defiance
• willfulness
• rebelliousness

Examples of disobedience in a Sentence

The student's disobedience shocked the teacher.

The dog was punished for its disobedience.

Recent Examples on the Web

Fernando Melo Flores, a 40-year-old Irvine resident, was charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography, one felony count of unauthorized computer access, and one misdemeanor count of willful disobedience of a court order. —Ryanne Mena, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026

Others mistakenly describe these acts as flakiness, disobedience, laziness, or personal failure in the absence of context. —Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026

His smile, coyly upturned at the corners, gives the impression of a patriarch who would resort to violence at the first sign of disobedience. —Alex Shams, Time, 14 Mar. 2026

More to the point, the government's understaffing and high caseload is a problem of its own making and absolutely does not justify flagrant disobedience of court orders. —Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disobedience

• civil disobedience

Rhymes for disobedience

• expedience
• obedience

Kids Definition

disobedience

noun

dis·​obe·​di·​ence ˌdis-ə-ˈbēd-ē-ən(t)s 

: failure or refusal to obey

disobedient

-ənt

adjective

disobediently adverb