as in rebellion
refusal to obey
they gave up on training the dog to fetch because of his constant disobedience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disobedience
Military culture makes disobedience difficult: Soldiers can be court-martialed for obeying an unlawful order, or for disobeying a lawful one.
—
Charli Carpenter, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
Moja Rowa Colorful disobedience is how Moja Rowa cofounders Yelena Mojarova and Edward Benedikt Sittler characterize their creative spirit and brand ethos.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
The ladies move closer to God through acts of disobedience, debauchery, and disgrace; by visiting seedy places and commingling with the disreputable.
—Nicole Flattery, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Many individuals remain out of necessity, not due to willful disobedience , but because of sudden changes in personal or political circumstances—including armed conflict, economic collapse, or family emergencies.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disobedience
Charli Carpenter, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
Moja Rowa Colorful disobedience is how Moja Rowa cofounders Yelena Mojarova and Edward Benedikt Sittler characterize their creative spirit and brand ethos.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
The ladies move closer to God through acts of disobedience, debauchery, and disgrace; by visiting seedy places and commingling with the disreputable.
—Nicole Flattery, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Many individuals remain out of necessity, not due to willful disobedience , but because of sudden changes in personal or political circumstances—including armed conflict, economic collapse, or family emergencies.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disobedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disobedience
Noun
-
And, of course, boarding schools themselves can be immensely silly, dominated by boys’ pranks, rebellions, and mishaps.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Here are some notable uses of the Insurrection Act, usually to quell rebellions or in cases where local or state authorities were unable or unwilling to maintain order or uphold the Constitution.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That said, judicial defiance has been more pronounced in the lower courts.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Trump’s efforts to take over Greenland have been met with defiance from Nielsen, who said Monday Greenland will not be pressured.—
Mike Stunson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The orphan’s predicament is as much a matter of willfulness as of survival—inseparable, as in the works of Charles Dickens, from a dream of being somehow rescued by the idea of an adult world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
-
While this change reduces the explicit admission of willfulness, a narrative is still required.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
At times, Carol’s admirable rebelliousness seems to come at the cost of self-flagellating destruction, a badge of honor to be miserable.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The performance goes from fiery to ineffectual as DiCaprio’s character, Bob, loses his youthful rebelliousness in a haze of pot and resignation.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disobedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disobedience. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
