disobey
B1Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To refuse or fail to follow a command, law, rule, or instruction from an authority figure.
To deliberately act contrary to what is required, expected, or mandated, often as an act of defiance, rebellion, or individual will.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Inherently transitive. Often implies a conscious choice and awareness of the rule/order being broken. Carries a negative moral/legal judgment when the authority is considered legitimate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or syntactic differences. Spelling consistently 'disobey' in both.
Connotations
Similar connotations of defiance against legitimate authority (parent, teacher, law, officer). In both, can be used in military, parental, and civil disobedience contexts.
Frequency
Slightly more common in formal/legal writing in both varieties. No notable frequency difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] disobey [Direct Object: person/rule/order][Subject] disobey [Direct Object] and [consequence]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He/She] wouldn't dare disobey (a direct order).”
- “To disobey is to invite trouble/punishment.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Used for serious breaches of protocol or direct managerial orders. 'Employees who wilfully disobey safety regulations face dismissal.'
Academic
Used in political science, law, and sociology regarding civil disobedience, authority, and social contracts. 'The study examines why citizens disobey unjust laws.'
Everyday
Common in parental, educational, and driving contexts. 'The child disobeyed and ran into the road.'
Technical
In law: 'contravene' or 'violate' are more precise. In military contexts: 'insubordination' is the specific term for disobeying a superior officer.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The soldier was court-martialled for refusing to obey, or rather, for choosing to disobey, a direct order.
- It is foolish to disobey the highway code.
American English
- The protester was arrested for willfully disobeying a police command to disperse.
- You shouldn't disobey your doctor's instructions.
adverb
British English
- The act was disobediently carried out in full view of the authorities.
- He stared disobediently back at the teacher.
American English
- She disobediently stayed out past her curfew.
- The software runs disobediently, ignoring user inputs.
adjective
British English
- The disobedient child was sent to his room.
- An act of disobedient defiance.
American English
- The disobedient dog wouldn't come when called.
- He had a history of being disobedient in class.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Children should not disobey their parents.
- The dog disobeyed and ran away.
- If you disobey the school rules, you will be punished.
- He was fired for disobeying a manager's order.
- The citizens chose to disobey the new law as an act of protest.
- Drivers who persistently disobey speed limits pose a serious danger.
- The philosopher argued that one has a moral duty to disobey unjust legislation.
- The tribunal found the officer guilty of conspiring to disobey lawful commands.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS (not) + OBEY. It's the opposite of obey. Picture a road sign with a big red 'DIS' stamped over the word 'OBEY'.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS ABOVE / SUBORDINATION IS BELOW. To disobey is to 'step out from under' someone's authority or to 'rise up against' it.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'не слушать' (to not listen). 'Disobey' is stronger and implies deliberate defiance, not just inattention.
- The direct translation 'ослушаться' is a close match in tone and formality.
Common Mistakes
- Using an intransitive pattern (e.g., 'He disobeyed against the rule' – INCORRECT). It's always transitive: 'He disobeyed the rule.'
- Confusing with 'disagree'. You *disagree with* an opinion, but you *disobey* an order/person.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'disobey' LEAST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically yes, as it breaks an established rule. However, in contexts of civil disobedience against an unjust regime, it can be portrayed positively as courageous defiance.
The most common noun is 'disobedience' (e.g., civil disobedience). 'Disobeyer' is grammatically possible but very rare.
No, 'disobey' is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object (what or whom is being disobeyed). You must disobey *something* or *someone*.
They are often synonyms for rules/laws. 'Violate' is broader and stronger, implying a more serious breach that often 'breaks' or 'desecrates' something (violate a treaty, human rights). 'Disobey' is more personal, focusing on the act of defiance against an authority's specific instruction.
Explore