disobedience: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “disobedience” mean?
Refusal or failure to obey rules, laws, or someone in authority.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Refusal or failure to obey rules, laws, or someone in authority.
A deliberate act of non-compliance, often seen as a form of protest or assertion of individual will. Can imply a broader defiance of accepted norms or conventions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
In both dialects, it can carry neutral, negative, or positive connotations depending on context (e.g., criminal disobedience vs. civil disobedience).
Frequency
Used with similar frequency in both varieties, often in formal, legal, political, or educational contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “disobedience” in a Sentence
disobedience to + authority/person (disobedience to the king)disobedience of + rule/law/order (disobedience of the order)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disobedience” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soldiers were court-martialled for disobeying a direct order.
- He disobeyed the parking regulations and got a ticket.
American English
- The protesters knowingly disobeyed the police directive.
- She disobeyed her doctor's advice and went for a run.
adverb
British English
- The crowd acted disobediently, ignoring the safety barriers.
- He shook his head disobediently at the suggestion.
American English
- She looked at her mother disobediently before taking the cookie.
- The software update was applied disobediently, causing system errors.
adjective
British English
- He was a disobedient child, always getting into trouble.
- The disobedient clerk was issued a final written warning.
American English
- The disobedient dog wouldn't come when called.
- Fining the company for being disobedient with environmental regulations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, used in HR contexts for serious breaches of policy (e.g., 'gross disobedience of a direct instruction').
Academic
Common in political science, history, law, and sociology, especially regarding 'civil disobedience' as a protest tactic.
Everyday
Most often used in contexts of child-rearing or discussing protest movements.
Technical
Used in legal contexts (contempt of court) and military contexts (disobeying a lawful order).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disobedience”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “disobedience”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disobedience”
- Incorrect preposition: 'disobedience against' (use 'to' or 'of').
- Confusing with 'disrespect' (disobedience is about action, not attitude).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it often has negative connotations (e.g., a child's misbehaviour), in contexts like 'civil disobedience', it can be viewed positively as a moral or political stance against perceived injustice.
'Disobedience' is a broader term for refusing to obey a specific rule or order. 'Rebellion' implies a larger, organised effort to overthrow or fundamentally challenge an authority or system.
Yes, it is primarily used as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'acts of disobedience'). It is not typically pluralised ('disobediences' is very rare).
There isn't a direct single-word opposite. Concepts like 'lawful compliance', 'acquiescence to authority', or simply 'obedience to the law' serve as conceptual opposites.
Refusal or failure to obey rules, laws, or someone in authority.
Disobedience is usually formal to neutral in register.
Disobedience: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.əˈbiː.di.əns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.əˈbiː.di.əns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An act of civil disobedience”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS (not) + OBEY (the root) + IENCE (state of). The state of not obeying.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISOBEDIENCE IS A BREACH (of a contract, bond, or wall). DISOBEDIENCE IS A CHALLENGE (to a hierarchy or structure).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a classic example of 'civil disobedience'?