DISOBEY Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

disobey

verb

ˌdis-ə-ˈbā

Definition of disobey

as in to ignore

to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of students who disobey their teachers and use cell phones in class drivers who consistently disobey traffic laws

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of disobey People don’t do what they’re supposed to, or someone betrays someone else for money or power or spite, or maybe a dragon just disobeys its rider and decides to murder a prince. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor in which an individual willfully disobeys or impedes a congressional investigation. — Connor Greene, Time, 6 Aug. 2026 Once upon a time, but not so long ago, there was a woman who disobeyed her father by loving another man. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 Ulysses expresses sorrowful regret for having disobeyed Zeus’ Law – essentially the Golden Rule – in sacking Troy. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for disobey

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disobey

Verb

Corbett said such arguments ignore Illinois’ long history of underfunding public schools, with the state providing only about a quarter of school districts’ revenue, according to the State Board of Education’s most recent Illinois Report Card.

— Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
The shame lies with the governments who ignored the AIDS crisis and the stigma that was around people and the innate prejudice that was in society.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignore

Verb

The government characterized Lemon as part of the demonstration, arguing his actions at a church crossed the line from a reporting to a protesting role, violating the First Amendment right to worship and freedom of religion.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
Advisors who do have a fiduciary duty and who violate that responsibility can be subject to fairly serious consequences, including regulatory penalties, civil liabilities and criminal charges.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of violate

Verb

Biggest upset of its kind in Georgia history Stephens County defeated Hart County 44-28 in a game that defied the rule of common opponents, if not common sense, last week.

— Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Yet Dodik has consistently tested those limits, openly defying Bosnia’s national government in the capital, Sarajevo, and making moves for Republika Srpska to separate from the country.

— Eldar Emric, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of defy

Verb

But resist the urge to throw every brightening ingredient at the problem.

— Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
Attempts to coordinate the different agencies under a central authority to fight organized crime have failed in Congress, where professional associations representing those agencies have resisted anything that would reduce their power.

— MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of resist

Verb

On June 18, Reese appeared to mock Clark for trying to draw a foul after the two made contact.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Nike’s experimented with other applications such as mules and tennis shoes, but the results were mocked if not downright disastrous.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of mock

Verb

This was a leftism distinct from Marxism and later communism, but nonetheless opposed to the state, the capitalist class, and clericalism.

— Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026
Polling conducted by the Associated Press/NORC last year shows that more Americans oppose the current biannual clock change than those who support it—47% compared to just 12%.

— Chantelle Lee, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of oppose

Browse Nearby Words

disobedient

disobey

disobeyed

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“Disobey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disobey. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of disobey

verb

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