obey [obeyobeysobeyedobeying] BrE [əˈbeɪ] NAmE [əˈbeɪ] verb transitive, intransitive ~ (sb/sth) to do what you are told or expected to do •to obey a command/an order/rules/the law • He had always obeyed his parents without question. • (figurative) I tried to run but my legs just wouldn't obey me. •‘Sit down!’ Meekly, she obeyed. Opp: ↑disobey Verb forms:
Word Origin: Middle English: from Old French obeir, from Latin oboedire, from ob- ‘in the direction of’ + audire ‘hear’.
Thesaurus: obey verb T, I •He refuses to obey rules. follow • • respect • • carry sth out • • act on/upon sth • • comply • |formal abide by sth • • adhere to sth • • observe • Opp: disobey, Opp: break obey/follow/respect/comply with/abide by/adhere to/observe conventions/rules/regulations/law obey/follow/respect/comply with/abide by sb's will/wishes obey/follow/carry out/act on instructions/orders
Example Bank: •He refuses to obey the rules. •People have a moral duty to obey the law. •Rules are rules and they must be obeyed. •She was used to having her orders instantly obeyed. •She's being punished for failure to obey a court order.
