disobey

verb

dis·​obey ˌdis-ə-ˈbā How to pronounce disobey (audio)
-ō-
disobeyed; disobeying; disobeys

transitive verb

: to fail to obey
disobeyer noun

Examples of disobey in a Sentence

If you disobey, you will be severely punished. The soldier disobeyed the general's orders. He was afraid to disobey his father. The driver had disobeyed the law.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Severe crashes were typically due to failure to yield, failure to reduce speed, improper or unsafe lane usage, disobeying traffic signs and signals, and roadway departure, according to Vissers’ presentation. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 The suspect disobeyed and was subsequently shot, OPD said. Elainie Barraza, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025 There is some chance that the Court, which knows that its popularity and public trust are at historic lows, will fear that this President might contemplate disobeying a court’s order to issue citizenship documents, and choose not to test him. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025 Stella explains that Damon lied about disobeying orders and that there have been trust issues in the past. Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 9 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for disobey

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French desobeir, from des- dis- + obeir to obey

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of disobey was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disobey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disobey. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

disobey

verb
dis·​obey ˌdis-ə-ˈbā How to pronounce disobey (audio)
: to refuse, neglect, or fail to obey

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