disobedience
gb/dˌɪsoʊbˈidiəns/ us/dˌɪsoʊbˈidiəns/
B2
English
~ 9800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
refusal to obey rules or authority
When someone does not follow a rule, order, or law, even though they are supposed to obey it.
Usage pattern:
disobedience to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun "disobedience" with the adjective "disobedient" and the verb "disobey". Use: "His disobedience was a problem" (noun), "He is disobedient" (adjective), and "He disobeyed the rules" (verb). Another mistake is saying *"do a disobedience"*; instead say "show disobedience" or "an act of disobedience".
Synonyms
defiance (Suggests a bold or proud refusal to obey, often more emotional or confrontational than general disobedience.)
|
insubordination (Used especially in workplaces or the military for refusing to obey a superior.)
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noncompliance (More formal and neutral, often used about not following rules, standards, or regulations.)
Antonyms
obedience (Direct opposite, meaning the act of doing what you are told by a person in authority or by rules.)
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compliance (Focuses on willingly following rules, requests, or laws, often in formal or legal contexts.)
Collocations
civil disobedience
|an act of disobedience
|open disobedience
|punish [someone] for disobedience
|encourage disobedience
|chronic disobedience
Themes
social
|law
|family
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The teacher warned that repeated disobedience would lead to suspension.
- His open disobedience of the court order resulted in a heavy fine.
- The government tried to crush all signs of disobedience among the soldiers.
- Her parents were worried about their son's growing disobedience at home and at school.
- Acts of disobedience against the new law spread quickly across the country.
Learner examples
- The child was punished for his disobedience.
- Disobedience to traffic rules can cause accidents.
- The workers showed disobedience when they refused to follow the new safety rules.
- Her disobedience made her parents very angry.
- The coach would not accept any disobedience from the players.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disobedience
IPA
GB/dˌɪsoʊbˈidiəns/
US/dˌɪsoʊbˈidiəns/
Syllables & stress
dis - obedi - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ence)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: disobedience
- Plural: disobedience
Word family
Expressions
civil disobedience
1/sˈɪvəl dˌɪsoʊbˈidiəns/
fixed phrase
breaking laws as political protest
A way of protesting in which people refuse to follow certain laws, but do so in a peaceful and public way to show they believe the laws are wrong or unfair.
Examples
- The activists used civil disobedience to protest the new immigration law.
- Civil disobedience has played an important role in many movements for social change.
- He argued that civil disobedience is sometimes necessary when governments act unjustly.
in disobedience to
1/ˈɪn dˌɪsoʊbˈidiəns tə/
fixed phrase
formal
against a rule or order
Used to say that someone does something even though a rule, order, or law says they should not do it.
Examples
- The soldiers acted in disobedience to direct orders from their commander.
- She left the country in disobedience to the travel ban imposed by the court.