disoblige: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low frequency; literary/formal)Formal, literary, occasionally polite/conservative usage
Quick answer
What does “disoblige” mean?
To refuse or fail to do what someone has asked you to do.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To refuse or fail to do what someone has asked you to do; to inconvenience someone.
To act contrary to the wishes or convenience of a person; to be unaccommodating or deliberately unhelpful.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English, particularly in formal or upper-class registers. In American English, it is very rare and sounds notably old-fashioned or literary.
Connotations
In UK English, it can be used as a polite, understated way to express reluctance to inconvenience someone. In all contexts, it carries a formal, somewhat antiquated tone.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, but residual use persists in formal British correspondence and literature.
Grammar
How to Use “disoblige” in a Sentence
disoblige [person/party]be disobliged by [action/person]disoblige [person] by [gerund phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disoblige” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I wouldn't want to disoblige her after all her kindness.
- The landlord felt he could not disoblige such a longstanding tenant.
- He was careful not to disoblige his patron.
American English
- The author saw no reason to disoblige the few readers who had written in.
- It was a small request, and he didn't have the heart to disoblige them.
- To disoblige the committee now would be a strategic error.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical or literary analysis discussing social conduct.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound oddly formal or quaint.
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disoblige”
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'disobey' (which is about rules/authority, not social convenience).
- Using it in casual contexts where 'inconvenience' or 'turn down' would be natural.
- Incorrect stress: pronouncing it as 'DIS-oblige' instead of 'dis-o-BLIGE'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Disobey' is about not following orders, rules, or authority. 'Disoblige' is about not accommodating someone's wishes or causing them inconvenience, often in a social context.
It is not recommended as it will sound very formal, old-fashioned, or even pretentious. Use 'inconvenience', 'put out', or simply 'say no to' instead.
It is most frequently used in negative constructions ('not wish to disoblige', 'could hardly disoblige') or in the passive voice ('feel disobliged').
Yes, but it is equally rare. It describes an uncooperative, unhelpful, or deliberately awkward manner (e.g., 'a disobliging clerk').
To refuse or fail to do what someone has asked you to do.
Disoblige is usually formal, literary, occasionally polite/conservative usage in register.
Disoblige: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.əˈblaɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.əˈblaɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(not) to be disobliged”
- “go out of one's way to not disoblige”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the prefix DIS- (meaning 'not' or 'opposite of') + OBLIGE (to do a favour). So, to NOT do a favour.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL DEBT AS OBLIGATION (to disoblige is to refuse to enter into or to cancel a social debt).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'disoblige' LEAST likely to be used?