verb
disobey
dihs-uh-BAY
Disobey (verb) means to refuse or fail to follow an order or rule. Example: “The soldier was court-martialed for disobeying a direct order.”
verb
1
To refuse or fail to follow an order or rule.
"The soldier was court-martialed for disobeying a direct order."
How to use disobey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo knowingly break a rule or ignore an instruction.
Common pairings
disobey orders
disobey the law
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- disobeys
- Past tense
- disobeyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soldier was court-martialed for _____ a direct order.
Etymology
From Old French desobeir, from dis- + obey.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for disobey
See all rhymes for disobey →Frequently asked questions
What does “disobey” mean?
The word “disobey” means to refuse or fail to follow an order or rule. In plain terms, to knowingly break a rule or ignore an instruction.
How do you pronounce “disobey”?
“Disobey” is pronounced dihs-uh-BAY (/ˌdɪs.əˈbeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “disobey” in a sentence?
Here is “disobey” used in a sentence: “The soldier was court-martialed for disobeying a direct order.”
What is another word for “disobey”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disobey” include balk, decline, disregard, ignore, refuse and unmind.
What is the opposite of “disobey”?
The opposite of “disobey” — its antonyms — are obey, accede, assent, acquiesce and comply.
What part of speech is “disobey”?
“Disobey” is a verb.
Where does the word “disobey” come from?
The word “disobey” comes from Old French. From Old French desobeir, from dis- + obey.
