obeys; obeyed; obeying
: to do what someone tells you to do or what a rule, law, etc., says you must do
His dog has learned to obey several commands.
He always obeys his parents.
obey the law
The children must obey the rules.
Falling objects obey the laws of physics. [=falling objects move in a way that agrees with the laws of physics]
The children must learn to obey.
This dog does not obey. [=does not do what it is told to do]
Cite this Entry
“Obey.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/obey. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
