ENGLISH
REFERENCE

disobey

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌdɪsəˈbeɪ// UK //dˌɪsəʊbˈeɪ// dis·obey
Definition

v. to refuse to follow a rule, a law, or an order from someone in authority.

v. to fail to comply with a command, law, or regulation. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the authority or instruction being ignored.


SIMPLE

The student was punished for disobeying the teacher.

CONTEXTUAL

The protesters were arrested for disobeying the curfew imposed by the local government.

COMPLEX

By choosing to disobey the court's final order, the corporation faced significant financial penalties and a loss of public trust.

Origin

From Old French desobeir.

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