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Showing results for disobey.
Definitions

disobey

[dis-uh-bey] / ˌdɪs əˈbeɪ /
VERB
disregard rules; refuse to conform
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contravene defy evade flout ignore infringe misbehave overstep transgress violate
STRONG
balk counteract dare decline desert differ disagree mutiny neglect object rebel recalcitrate resist revolt revolutionize riot shirk strike withstand
WEAK
be remiss break rules fly in face of go counter to insurrect not heed not listen not mind pay no attention to revolution rise in arms run riot set aside take law into own hands
Antonyms
STRONGEST
behave obey observe
STRONG
accept agree aid assist comply concur conform consent do go along harmonize help support
WEAK
oblige regard submit

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But U.S. military law also requires them to disobey “unlawful orders.”

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

“You can’t put on the screen that it’s right for a young girl to disobey her father,” Nava recalled Quintanilla saying.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2025

I was also briefed multiple times on my duty to disobey unlawful orders.

From Slate • Dec. 3, 2025

If an order is legally ambiguous, a service member will only find out whether it was lawful to disobey at a court-martial, where a military judge decides.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

Of course I knew I was wrong to disobey my mother but that hadn’t stopped me.

From "Homesick" by Jean Fritz