Word
disobey
Phoneticsdis·obey
US/ˌdɪsəˈbeɪ/
UK/dˌɪsəʊbˈeɪ/
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.
Examples
“The student was punished for disobeying the teacher.”
“The protesters were arrested for disobeying the curfew imposed by the local government.”
“By choosing to disobey the court's final order, the corporation faced significant financial penalties and a loss of public trust.”
Examples
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.”
Etymology
From Old French desobeir.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/disobey