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.
The police have filed criminal complaints against Duterte and her security detail, accusing them of disobeying orders and hindering a congressional inquiry involving her chief of staff. Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024 In 2017, Trump pardoned former Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was charged with criminal contempt of court for disobeying a federal judge's order to stop racially profiling in detaining individuals suspected of being in the country illegally. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 2 Dec. 2024 There’s no clearer signal that social mores are a tad bit different in the 18th century than when Claire is spanked by husband Jamie after disobeying one of his orders. Amy Wilkinson, Vulture, 23 Nov. 2024 After Edwards received medical treatment, he was transported to Troop H in Hartford where he was processed and charged with reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer and interfering with an officer/resisting. Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 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

Dictionary Entries Near disobey

Cite this Entry

“Disobey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disobey. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

disobey

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

More from Merriam-Webster on disobey

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!