disobedient
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disobedient
1400–50; late Middle English < Old French desobedient, equivalent to des- dis- 1 + obedient obedient
Explanation
Someone who's disobedient doesn't follow the rules. If your dog won't sit, stay, or heel, you can describe her as disobedient. When you refuse to obey someone in authority, you're disobedient. A frustrated substitute teacher might describe the entire second grade class as disobedient, and you may try to train your cat to use the toilet but find her to be a disobedient pet. The word comes from combining obedient — with its root of oboedientem, Latin for "obey," — with the prefix dis, or "do the opposite of."
Vocabulary lists containing disobedient
Power Prefix: dis-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
dis-
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: dis-
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It's so liberating, not only to question but to laugh," said journalist Sarah Stankorb, the author of "Disobedient Women."
From Salon • Mar. 8, 2024
Dionne Searcey is part of a team that won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting and author of the book, "In Pursuit of Disobedient Women."
From New York Times • Aug. 1, 2023
They called themselves Disobedient Stories, because they are breaking the family rule of silence.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2021
Other children of perpetrators have come forward since, encouraged by their Facebook page, Disobedient Stories.
From The Guardian • Jun. 13, 2017
Disobedient May Naughty May will not obey, But will always have her way Every moment of the day.
From Cole's Funny Picture Book No. 1 by Cole, E. W. (Edward William)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
