disobedience

[ dis-uh-bee-dee-uhns ]

/ ˌdɪs əˈbi di əns /

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See synonyms for disobedience on Thesaurus.com

noun

lack of obedience or refusal to comply; disregard or transgression.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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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.

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Origin of disobedience

1350–1400; Middle English <Old French desobedience, equivalent to des-dis-¹ + obedienceobedience

Words nearby disobedience

disnature, Disney, Disneyfy, Disneyland, Disney, Walt, disobedience, disobedient, disobey, disoblige, disodium phosphate, disomic

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

How to use disobedience in a sentence

Yes, the drinking and disobedience had gone too far and I needed an intervention.
Traditional school isn’t always the way to go, and I wish my parents had seen that earlier|Kenneth R. Rosen|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
When top leaders themselves disagree with each other on policy priorities, subordinates gain more leeway to exercise strategic disobedience or “buck-passing” – shirking their responsibilities in pollution control.
The Environmental Challenges of China's Recovery After COVID-19|Yanzhong Huang|February 2, 2021|Time
While arrests have increased as protesters have sought to use civil disobedience to make a point, the arrests often are planned and choreographed.
D.C. is becoming a protest battleground. In a polarized nation, experts say that’s unlikely to change.|Marissa Lang|January 1, 2021|Washington Post
Beyond protests and civil disobedience, we are lobbying political leaders for climate action.
It’s about time adults start rising up against climate change|Alexandria Villaseñor|October 21, 2020|Popular-Science

They’re engaging in their own version of civil disobedience — showing that they’re the thin blue line and that without them there will be chaos.
What Can Mayors Do When the Police Stop Doing Their Jobs?|by Alec MacGillis|September 3, 2020|ProPublica
Saint Louis City police also spent $325,000 upgrading helmets, sticks and other civil disobedience equipment.
Ferguson Tensions in Black and White|Seth Ferranti|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Visitors like Sun have never seen civil disobedience practiced in real life.
Chinese Tourists Are Taking Hong Kong Protest Selfies|Brendon Hong|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Shoppers from Mainland China arrived in droves, and gained front row seats to civil disobedience in action.
Chinese Tourists Are Taking Hong Kong Protest Selfies|Brendon Hong|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He laid the blame firmly on meddling by foreign powers sowing civil disobedience.
Hong Kong Between Calm and Chaos|Ben Leung|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But all Americans practice libertarian civil disobedience already, on their IRS forms.
Up To A Point: My Problem With People Who Agree With Me|P. J. O’Rourke|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He stared at his men, astonished and impatient at this strange disobedience.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
His disobedience is not as if that requirement were inconsistent with his natural powers, but as opposed by their tendency.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
From the stories of Jonah and King Saul she brought forth some excellent lessons on disobedience.
The value of a praying mother|Isabel C. Byrum
Their resistance consisted of disobedience of the orders of the Government, even to the extent of suffering death at their hands.
Third class in Indian railways|Mahatma Gandhi
A strong motive might induce her to disobey, but the disobedience in that case would be open.
A Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the Thirties|Charles Major

British Dictionary definitions for disobedience

disobedience

/ (ˌdɪsəˈbiːdɪəns) /

noun

lack of obedience

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

disobedience

Origin of disobedience

Words nearby disobedience

Words related to disobedience

How to use disobedience in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for disobedience