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

• 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

In Missouri, disobeying traffic lights is considered a moving violation. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025

This was neither the first nor the last time that Patton disobeyed an order. —Davis Winkie, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

Under military law, service members are obligated to obey lawful orders, but to disobey unlawful orders. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

Washington made the move over Petro’s participation in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in New York City, as well as his call for US troops deployed in American cities to disobey orders. —Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025

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