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

• defy
• mock
• rebel (against)

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 driver was issued a citation for disobeying the crossing gates, Pieritz said. —Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

The Captain made the decision to go rogue and return to shore, disobeying the orders of corporate. —Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 16 May 2025

Varela was commended for his pre-match team talks, for ordering his team-mates to behave in certain ways at key moments, and, after the tournament, for disobeying orders not to leave the team hotel, and going out drinking with Brazilians instead. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 May 2025

Punishments for disobeying contempt orders can range from fines to jail time, though incarceration is a rare and extreme recourse. —Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 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