disobedient

adjective

dis·​obe·​di·​ent ˌdis-ə-ˈbē-dē-ənt How to pronounce disobedient (audio)
-ō-ˈbē-
: refusing or neglecting to obey
disobediently adverb

Example Sentences

The disobedient soldier was given cleanup duty. The dog was being disobedient.
Recent Examples on the Web Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter did not directly reply to a question Friday asking what steps the governor will take to ensure disobedient districts allow families to send their children to school maskless. Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2022 To be disobedient is to be a thinking person. Michaela Zee, Variety, 10 Jan. 2023 To be disobedient was a sin in the eyes of God. Time, 15 Sep. 2022 Angry, vitriolic and mean, the bare-knuckled deep cut presented Metallica at its most dissonant and disobedient. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2022 The effect of scolding was more pronounced when the dogs were obedient, not disobedient. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2015 Bone was born in Budapest in 1889 and proved an intelligent — if disobedient — child. Michael Harris, Discover Magazine, 16 May 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disobedient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disobedient was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near disobedient

Cite this Entry

“Disobedient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disobedient. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

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