disobey

verb

ˌdis-ə-ˈbā How to pronounce disobey (audio)
Definition of disobeynext
as in to ignore
to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of students who disobey their teachers and use cell phones in class drivers who consistently disobey traffic laws

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disobey Once upon a time, but not so long ago, there was a woman who disobeyed her father by loving another man. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 Ulysses expresses sorrowful regret for having disobeyed Zeus’ Law – essentially the Golden Rule – in sacking Troy. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026 Santana-Mateo was booked on charges of breach of peace, engaging police in a pursuit, disobeying the direction of officer, reckless driving, failure to obey a stop sign, failure to drive right, failure to obey a traffic control signal and driving the wrong way on a one way. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026 In 2024, the agency claimed that X security staff sometimes had to pointedly disobey Musk in order to remain in compliance. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disobey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disobey
  1. ignore
  2. violate
  3. defy
  4. resist
  5. mock
  6. oppose
Verb
  • Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has denied accusations that the government ignored warnings about an impending mass border crossing from Morocco to the enclave of Ceuta.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The numbers are impossible to ignore, while Boteli’s bustling physical profile — two-footed, quick, and comfortable through the middle or out wide — means that a move to Europe’s top five leagues will soon be on the cards.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • More than two dozen law enforcement officials, from crime analysts to chiefs of police, have been charged with violating their oaths of office and conducting unauthorized searches within the Flock Safety system in Georgia in the past few months.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The letter alleged the Smithsonian ​may have violated anti-discrimination laws.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of violate
Verb
  • The canal system that carries it from western Arizona is a gravity-defying product of 1960s optimism and more than $4 billion in building costs.
    — Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • People pass through exercising, out for a run after work, in sportswear, while Curtiss looks toward the clock across the way, at the entrance to Westward Drive, as if to indicate that his legacy defies time.
    — Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of defy
Verb
  • He was arrested and will be booked on felony evading, hit-and-run and felony resisting arrest, police said.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The fungus can spread between patients and resist some antifungal treatments.
    — Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of resist
Verb
  • The viral video of Gibson appearing to mock the Fan Expo ASL interpreter sparked backlash against the actor as well as FanExpo for platforming the controversial star.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Mel Gibson apologized Monday after video surfaced showing the actor mocking a sign language interpreter.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of mock
Verb
  • In Florida, a federal court allowed FIFA to intervene and oppose UEFA’s discovery request, and its opposition is due by the end of the month.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The superintendent, Chris Ragsdale, compared people who oppose book banning to people who support human trafficking.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of oppose

Browse Nearby Words

disobedient
disobey
disobeyed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disobey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disobey. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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