obey

[ oh-bey ]

/ oʊˈbeɪ /

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See synonyms for: obey / obeyed / obeying / obeys on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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.).

verb (used without object)

to be obedient: to agree to obey.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of obey

1250–1300; Middle English obeien<Old French obeir<Latin oboedīre, equivalent to ob-ob- + audīre to hear; -oe- for expected -ū- is unclear

OTHER WORDS FROM obey

o·bey·a·ble, adjectiveo·bey·er, nouno·bey·ing·ly, adverbun·o·beyed, adjective

un·o·bey·ing, adjectivewell-o·beyed, adjective

Words nearby obey

Oberth, obese, obesity, obesogen, obesogenic, obey, obfuscate, obfuscation, ob-gyn, obi, Obie

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use obey in a sentence

She agreed several times that “no one is above the law,” but she warned that the Supreme Court has no real recourse to ensure that people, including the president, obeyed its orders.
To Democrats’ frustration, GOP predicts clear sailing as Barrett testimony ends|Robert Barnes, Seung Min Kim, Ann Marimow|October 15, 2020|Washington Post
“The Supreme Court can’t control what the president obeys,” she said flatly.
Barrett confirmation hearing day three: Barrett declines to say whether it’s wrong to separate migrant children from parents|Derek Hawkins, Seung Min Kim, Ann Marimow, Karoun Demirjian|October 14, 2020|Washington Post
If they obey and seem comfortable, there’s a good chance your pup will survive the day without you.
How to help your pet with separation anxiety|Sara Kiley Watson|August 26, 2020|Popular-Science
They provide continuous information, so that the population can have real-time updates, and then believe in the government and strictly obey all their guidelines.
Vietnam’s covid hospital|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review

The strong force operating between quarks obeys very complicated rules—so complicated, in fact, that usually the only way to calculate its effects is to use approximations and supercomputers.
CERN: Physicists Report the Discovery of Unique New Particle|Harry Cliff|July 15, 2020|Singularity Hub
Those advocating justice should first obey the rule of law themselves.
It’s Time to Hold Protesters Accountable|Ron Christie|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This argument is vital to a larger argument: Do we obey the rules set up to constrain government or not?
Obama’s ISIS War Is Illegal|Sen. Rand Paul|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
THE DISHONOR OF HONOR KILLINGS Imagine a young woman killed by her own relatives for failing to obey.
Lone Star Leaders||October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
I 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|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 Tracy
At 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 Tracy
He felt very sorry for the Temecula people, the sheriff did; but he had to obey the law himself.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
He understood, and would obey; but his eyes followed her wistfully till she disappeared from sight.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
When 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

obey

/ (əˈbeɪ) /

verb

to carry out (instructions or orders); comply with (demands)

to behave or act in accordance with (one's feelings, whims, etc)

Derived forms of obey

obeyer, noun

Word Origin for obey

C13: from Old French obéir, from Latin oboedīre, from ob- to, towards + audīre to hear

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

obey

Origin of obey

OTHER WORDS FROM obey

Words nearby obey

Words related to obey

How to use obey in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obey

Derived forms of obey

Word Origin for obey