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

The department’s internal affairs unit was investigating Saulter on allegations of falsifying time sheets, disobeying a direct order and failing to properly report part-time employment, according to the letter. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026

Authorities last August removed Dodik from the post of the president and temporarily banned him from politics for disobeying Schmidt's decisions. —ABC News, 11 May 2026

However, all of the city’s fire stations seemingly disobeyed the mayor by lowering their flags. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

Trump had to relent on a scheme to prosecute Fed Chair Jerome Powell for disobeying White House commands to cut interest rates. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 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
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

disobey

verb

dis·​obey ˌdis-ə-ˈbā 

: to refuse, neglect, or fail to obey