obey
to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of: to obey one's parents.
to comply with or follow (a command, restriction, wish, instruction, etc.).
(of things) to respond conformably in action to: The car obeyed the slightest touch of the steering wheel.
to submit or conform in action to (some guiding principle, impulse, one's conscience, etc.).
to be obedient: to agree to obey.
Origin of obey
1Other words from obey
- o·bey·a·ble, adjective
- o·bey·er, noun
- o·bey·ing·ly, adverb
- un·o·beyed, adjective
- un·o·bey·ing, adjective
- well-o·beyed, adjective
Words Nearby obey
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use obey in a sentence
Those advocating justice should first obey the rule of law themselves.
This argument is vital to a larger argument: Do we obey the rules set up to constrain government or not?
THE DISHONOR OF HONOR KILLINGS Imagine a young woman killed by her own relatives for failing to obey.
No soldier is obliged to obey a law contrary to the law of God.
Why Pope Francis Wants to Declare Murdered Archbishop Romero a Saint | Christopher Dickey | August 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI continue to live here, work here, pay the taxes and obey the law.
Men Without a Country: Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, My Father and Me | Arthur Chu | August 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The sepoys refused to obey, and the sowars, drawing their pistols, shot dead or severely wounded six British officers.
The Red Year | Louis TracyAt the Flagstaff Tower the 74th and the remainder of the 38th suddenly told their officers that they would obey them no longer.
The Red Year | Louis TracyHe felt very sorry for the Temecula people, the sheriff did; but he had to obey the law himself.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonHe understood, and would obey; but his eyes followed her wistfully till she disappeared from sight.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonWhen he was only three years old the huge creature would obey him and allow him to drive anywhere he pleased.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin | Mary Hazelton Wade
British Dictionary definitions for obey
/ (əˈbeɪ) /
to carry out (instructions or orders); comply with (demands)
to behave or act in accordance with (one's feelings, whims, etc)
Origin of obey
1Derived forms of obey
- obeyer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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