Synonyms of obey

obey

verb

ō-ˈbā 

as in to follow

to act according to the commands of

she taught her dog to obey her when she said "Sit!"

most people obey the law and wear their seat belts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• follow
• observe
• conform (to)
• adhere (to)
• comply (with)
• abide by
• keep to
• mind
• fall in with
• submit (to)
• goose-step (to)
• yield (to)
• surrender (to)
• hear
• defer (to)
• agree (to)
• heed
• watch
• accede (to)
• regard
• take
• listen (to)
• assent (to)
• notice
• attend
• acquiesce (to)
• note
• mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obey

Arguably, most Russian elites have not obeyed the Kremlin out of deep loyalty or ideological alignment throughout Putin’s long reign. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

His wishes were largely obeyed — until the third Test in Soweto last weekend, where the home crowd whistled and cheered during the haka. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Chemical reactions continue to obey thermodynamics regardless of what a statistical model predicts. — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Riders also would have been required to yield to pedestrians and obey signs and traffic signals. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026