obey
verb (used with object)
to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of.
were obeying
-
past progressiveof obey.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Much of the problem last year stemmed from parents dropping their children off instead of “sticking around to make sure they were obeying the rules,” Police Chief Gary Sparks said in the release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2023
Commons leader Mr Rees-Mogg said: "I think everybody understands that people were obeying the rules and these rules were very hard for people to obey."
From BBC ● Jan. 13, 2022
Police were out in force on Thursday to check that Italians on the road were obeying rules limiting travel within their own regions.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 24, 2020
Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said the decrease in tickets issued was a refreshing sign that more people were obeying the law.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 21, 2015
We will put him at the head of our company, as if he were our commander, and we were obeying his orders, and we will do every thing in his name.
From Richard II Makers of History by Jacob Abbott
