Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for obey on Thesaurus.com 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.). Show More
verb (used without object) to be obedient : to agree to obey. Show More
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
Related forms 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 Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for obey execute ,
accept ,
observe ,
embrace ,
heed ,
surrender ,
comply ,
respond ,
accord ,
accede ,
concur ,
acquiesce ,
perform ,
serve ,
mind ,
submit ,
keep ,
discharge ,
answer ,
follow Examples from the Web for obey Contemporary Examples of obey 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.
I continue to live here, work here, pay the taxes and obey the law.
Historical Examples of obey Your mother shall not see you; nor will I. Prepare however to obey .
In a pinch they would obey you nearly as well as they obey me.
Dearest Madam, forgive me: it was always my pride and my pleasure to obey you.
All things are bound to obey Him, He is not bound to obey any.
"I obey directions," he said, bowing respectfully to Mr. Roberts.
British Dictionary definitions for obey to carry out (instructions or orders); comply with (demands) to behave or act in accordance with (one's feelings, whims, etc) Show More
Derived Forms 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
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Word Origin and History for obey v. late 13c., from Old French obeir "obey, be obedient, do one's duty" (12c.), from Latin obedire , oboedire "obey, be subject, serve; pay attention to, give ear," literally "listen to," from ob "to" (see ob- ) + audire "listen, hear" (see audience ). Same sense development is in cognate Old English hiersumnian . Related: Obeyed ; obeying .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
