US /ˌdɪsəˈbeɪ/ UK /ˌdɪsəˈbeɪ/
verb

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    to fail or refuse to comply with a command or rule

    Soldiers who disobey a direct order face a court martial.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to fail or refuse to comply... defyfloutcontravenetransgressviolateresistrebel
Word family

Etymology

From Old French desobeir, from des- ('not') + obeir ('to obey'), from Latin oboedire ('to obey'), from ob- ('to') + audire ('to hear').

View etymology graph ->

Topics

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.