rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydisobeyFailure to obey
verb

disobey

dis-uh-BAY/ˌdɪsəˈbeɪ/

To refuse or fail to follow a rule, order, or authority.

The person disobeys the restriction by stepping over the boundary cord.

Person steps over a low cord boundary despite companion's clear stop gesture, small crossed-out walking pictogram establishes command, no danger or destruction.
Etymology
disLatinnot; opposite of
+obeyLatinobey; listen to

Obedire connected listening with obeying: paying attention to people became carrying out their commands. The negative prefix reverses that obedience, giving refusal or failure to follow a command.

In context

Libertarianism.org33:50
that in those instances where the laws of the land and that includes the Constitution violate the natural law judges have a duty to disobey
Dred Scott's Revenge: A Legal History of Race and Freedom in America

More examples

  • Drivers who disobey traffic signals can cause accidents.
  • The soldier disobeyed a direct order.
  • Our dog often disobeys the command to stay.

Forms

disobey · disobeys · disobeyed · disobeying

disobedience noun — Failure or refusal to obey instructions.

disobedient adjective — Refusing or failing to follow instructions.

Similar words

defy
Emphasizes deliberate, open resistance to a person or authority.
violate
Means breaking a rule or law, rather than disobeying someone.