disobedient

American  

[dis-uh-bee-dee-uhnt] / ˌdɪs əˈbi di ənt /

adjective

1. neglecting or refusing to obey; not submitting; refractory.

   Synonyms:

   uncompliant, unsubmissive, rebellious, defiant, contumacious, insubordinate

   Antonyms:

   obedient

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disobedient British  

/ ˌdɪsəˈbiːdɪənt /

adjective

1. not obedient; neglecting or refusing to obey

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Other Word Forms

• disobediently adverb

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."

Example Sentences

“I promise to continue to be disobedient so you can belong to a world in all your complete wildness as a young woman.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

Noem reported that the puppy was disobedient and out “having the time of her life” during a pheasant hunting trip and that the animal later attacked and killed a neighbor's chickens.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2024

For example, diaries about personal lives, new puppies, disobedient grandchildren.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2024

From March onward, “instead of dividing into small groups and blocking roads, we will hold disobedient gatherings with many people. And where we cannot be ignored,” the group said in a statement.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 29, 2024

Haydn’s and Mozart’s obedient following of their favourite symphonic formula - Sonata Form - could not have come at a more disobedient junction in social and political history.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall