obey

play

verb \ ō-ˈbā , ə- \

Definition of obey

obeyed; obeying

transitive verb

1 :to follow the commands or guidance of

He always obeys his parents.

2 :to conform to or comply with

obey an order

Falling objects obey the laws of physics.

intransitive verb

:to behave obediently

The dog does not always obey.

—

obeyer

noun

See obey defined for English-language learners

See obey defined for kids

Examples of obey in a Sentence

His dog has learned to obey several commands.
He always obeys his parents.
The children must obey the rules.
The children must learn to obey.

Recent Examples of obey from the Web

Over the next couple of weeks, officers will be stepping up enforcement in school zones and bus routes to ensure that the motoring public is obeying traffic laws so our children can stay safe.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The East Hartford Edition," 29 Aug. 2017
But should these arguments stand as the last word, leaving Harvard students no choice but to obey?

— john sedgwick, Vanities, "What’s Really Behind the Civil War to End Harvard’s Fraternities?," 9 Aug. 2017
For other cases, troopers slap drivers with $124 tickets, citing them under the state law that requires motorists to obey traffic-control devices.

— jessica lee, The Seattle Times, "What happens to drivers who cut lines at Washington State Ferry terminals?," 6 Aug. 2017
The other study, published July 6 in Current Biology, found that plant shoots and neuronal arbors, tree-like structures of neurons that gather and send information, likewise obey similar principles.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Plants, brains, engineered networks share unifying principles," 31 July 2017
Those who don’t obey can face execution by stoning.

— amanda sperber, Glamour, "Meet 18-year-old Nasra, Somalia’s First and Only Female Auto Mechanic," 17 July 2017
Latisha Kamica Wood, 36, of the 600 block of Raywell Avenue in Union Bridge, was charged Tuesday with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful police order and trespassing.

— The Aegis, "Police blotter: From Aberdeen to Fallston to Street," 14 July 2017
This creature was created specifically to protect and obey the queen, and anyone who offends her even in the slightest will feel his wrath.

— josh wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Game of Thrones': The Forces of House Lannister, Ranked," 14 July 2017
The supreme court, which obeys the government, ordered the transfer on health and procedural grounds.

— The Economist, "The homecoming kingWhat the unjailing of Leopoldo López means for Venezuela," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obey.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of obey

Middle English obeien, from Anglo-French obeir, from Latin oboedire, from ob- toward + -oedire (akin to audire to hear) — more at ob-, audible

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

obey Synonyms

Synonyms

adhere (to), comply (with), conform (to), follow, goose-step (to), mind, observe, abide by, fall in with, keep to

Antonyms

defy, disobey, rebel (against)

Related Words

defer (to), submit (to), surrender (to), yield (to); accede (to), acquiesce (to), agree (to), assent (to); attend, hear, heed, listen (to), mark, note, notice, regard, take, watch

Near Antonyms

disoblige; challenge, dare; refuse, renounce, repudiate; direct, lead; brush off, disregard, ignore, overlook, overpass, pass over, tune out, wink (at); dismiss, pooh-pooh (also pooh), shrug off; breach, break, infringe, transgress, violate; deride, flout, mock, scoff (at), scorn; mutiny (against), revolt (against); buck, combat, contest, dispute, fight, oppose, resist, withstand

OBEY Defined for English Language Learners

obey

play

verb

Definition of obey for English Language Learners

: to do what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc., says you must do

OBEY Defined for Kids

obey

play

verb \ ō-ˈbā \

Definition of obey for Students

obeyed; obeying

1 :to follow the commands or guidance of

Dogs are trained to obey their masters.

2 :to comply with :carry out

obey an order

obey the rules

Synonym Discussion of obey

obey and mind mean to do what a person says. obey is used when someone quickly yields to the authority of another or follows a rule or law.

- Obey your parents.
- Obey all traffic laws.

mind is used like obey especially when speaking to children but it often means paying attention to the wishes or commands of another.

- Mind what I said about talking.

Learn More about obey

See words that rhyme with obey Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for obey Spanish Central: Translation of obey Nglish: Translation of obey for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of obey for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up obey? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

obey

Definition of obey

obeyer

Read the Latest from M-W

Examples of obey in a Sentence

Recent Examples of obey from the Web

Origin and Etymology of obey

obey Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

OBEY Defined for English Language Learners

obey

Definition of obey for English Language Learners

OBEY Defined for Kids

obey

Definition of obey for Students

Synonym Discussion of obey

Learn More about obey

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Let's Talk 'Tea'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Words of the Year: 1066