as in ignoring
to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of
students who disobey their teachers and use cell phones in class drivers who consistently disobey traffic laws
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Recent Examples of disobeying
What is the penalty for disobeying a traffic signal?
—
Emery Glover, Des Moines Register, 16 Feb. 2026
The country's Supreme Court of Justice removed him from office in 2017 and sentenced him to prison for disobeying a court order to remove barricades during protests against the government of then-President Nicolás Maduro.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2026
The driver, identified as 50-year-old Dawn Dubois, was arrested and charged with operating under the Influence, disobeying the signal of an officer and failure to drive in proper lane, according to state police.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2026
But German General Dietrich von Choltitz is credited with disobeying Hitler’s command.
—Sally Susman, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
The fact that on this occasion senior officers chose a very light touch, preserving still-new representative institutions while not directly disobeying a direct presidential order, is extraordinary – and deserves far more comment and commendation than has been received.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
The mayor and governor of Minnesota need to be investigated for causing chaos in the streets, disobeying federal laws and causing riots at the expense of a deceased person.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
The plaintiffs disagreed, accusing the department of disobeying Cobb’s prior order.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2026
In response, the Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents Pakota Valley, filed a new lawsuit against the policy and filed a motion alleging the city is disobeying court orders.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
Emery Glover, Des Moines Register, 16 Feb. 2026
The country's Supreme Court of Justice removed him from office in 2017 and sentenced him to prison for disobeying a court order to remove barricades during protests against the government of then-President Nicolás Maduro.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2026
The driver, identified as 50-year-old Dawn Dubois, was arrested and charged with operating under the Influence, disobeying the signal of an officer and failure to drive in proper lane, according to state police.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2026
But German General Dietrich von Choltitz is credited with disobeying Hitler’s command.
—Sally Susman, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
The fact that on this occasion senior officers chose a very light touch, preserving still-new representative institutions while not directly disobeying a direct presidential order, is extraordinary – and deserves far more comment and commendation than has been received.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
The mayor and governor of Minnesota need to be investigated for causing chaos in the streets, disobeying federal laws and causing riots at the expense of a deceased person.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2026
The plaintiffs disagreed, accusing the department of disobeying Cobb’s prior order.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2026
In response, the Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents Pakota Valley, filed a new lawsuit against the policy and filed a motion alleging the city is disobeying court orders.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disobeying
Verb
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The bar claims the firm refused to remove the attorney’s name from its website for years, ignoring a cease and desist letter from McBratney’s new employer.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Andersen advises ignoring any one particular economic indicator in favor of looking at longer term trends.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The judge had called attorneys representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and ICE back into his courtroom for a hearing this week after the ACLU and other attorneys alleged that ICE was repeatedly violating his order.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
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In February, the NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Pacers $100,000 for violating the league’s player participation policy as part of a league-wide crackdown on tanking.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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They’re also transported to outer space and explore various planets, like a fiery volcano world, an underwater planet and a techno-land with neon, gravity-defying obstacles.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
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The Dolphins are one of three City Section teams defying the conventional wisdom that City Section talent level has collapsed.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling, who wasn’t even a first round pick in several mock drafts in January, is now routinely being projected for the top 12, with longtime analyst Dane Brugler mocking him 11th to Miami in his draft this week for the Athletic.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
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This might be the first time a film opens in theaters attached to a trailer for another movie mocking its franchise.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The man pleaded no contest to felony counts of stalking and vandalism and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest in 2019.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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The men were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a peace officer with a deadly weapon, resisting a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and other charges.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disobeying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disobeying. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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