disobedience

noun

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

-ō-ˈbē-

: refusal or neglect to obey

Synonyms

• balkiness
• contrariness
• contumacy
• defiance
• frowardness
• insubordination
• intractability
• obstreperousness
• rebellion
• rebelliousness
• recalcitrance
• refractoriness
• unruliness
• waywardness
• willfulness

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

Popular on Variety In another dream, the Old Man Creator sees four mischievous coyotes, the embodiment of disobedience and defiance. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 13 Aug. 2024

The Faustian tale is always a diabolically theological one, an orthodox tale with doubt, risk, and disobedience at its center. —James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024

Some districts in Ohio, such as Cleveland Municipal, reduced the number of disobedience suspensions of Black children over the past year, but the number in the state overall climbed to more than 78,400 in 2022-23, up 16% from the previous year. —Meredith Kolodner, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024

Set in Italy during Mussolini's fascist regime, the Oscar-winning film casts Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) as an inspiring spirit of civic disobedience. —Danny Horn, EW.com, 20 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disobedience

• civil disobedience

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