disobey

verb

dis·​obey ˌdis-ə-ˈbā 

-ō-

disobeyed; disobeying; disobeys

intransitive verb

: to be disobedient

transitive verb

: to fail to obey

disobeyer noun

Synonyms of disobey

• ignore
• violate
• defy
• resist
• mock
• oppose

Examples of disobey in a Sentence

If you disobey, you will be severely punished.

The soldier disobeyed the general's orders.

He was afraid to disobey his father.

The driver had disobeyed the law.

Recent Examples on the Web

But German General Dietrich von Choltitz is credited with disobeying Hitler’s command. —Sally Susman, Time, 27 Jan. 2026

When should troops disobey their superiors? —TheWeek, 23 Jan. 2026

The fact that on this occasion senior officers chose a very light touch, preserving still-new representative institutions while not directly disobeying a direct presidential order, is extraordinary – and deserves far more comment and commendation than has been received. —Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026

But when Torre walked off the mound, first baseman Tino Martinez looked at Weathers and told him to disobey his manager. —Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French desobeir, from des- dis- + obeir to obey

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for disobey

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

disobey

verb

dis·​obey ˌdis-ə-ˈbā 

: to refuse, neglect, or fail to obey