Obey Definition and Meaning
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on July 13, 2025
Obey refers to follow the commands or guidance of someone or something. e.g., The children learned to obey their teacher's instructions promptly.
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Obey Definitions
To submit to someone's authority.
The dog was trained to obey its owner's commands.
To heed or follow advice.
He decided to obey his doctor’s advice and started exercising.
To adhere to a moral or ethical code.
They obey the rules of fair play in competition.
To perform actions as directed by control mechanisms or software.
The robotic arm obeys the programmed instructions.
To respond affirmatively to a command or request.
The machine obeys the input commands precisely.
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To follow a command without resistance.
The recruits are expected to obey instantly.
To comply with or follow the directives or orders of someone.
The soldiers obey their commander without question.
To act according to certain rules or laws.
All citizens must obey the law.
To conform to a standard or expectation.
The builders must obey safety protocols.
To carry out or fulfill the command, order, or instruction of.
To carry out or comply with (a command, for example).
To behave obediently.
(transitive) To do as ordered by (a person, institution etc), to act according to the bidding of.
(intransitive) To do as one is told.
To be obedient, compliant (to a given law, restriction etc.).
To give ear to; to execute the commands of; to yield submission to; to comply with the orders of.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord.
Was she the God, that her thou didst obey?
To submit to the authority of; to be ruled by.
My will obeyed his will.
Afric and India shall his power obey.
To yield to the impulse, power, or operation of; as, a ship obeys her helm.
To give obedience.
Will he obey when one commands?
His servants ye are, to whom ye obey.
He commanded the trumpets to sound: to which the two brave knights obeying, they performed their courses.
Be obedient to
To be governed or controlled by a principle or force.
Planets obey the laws of physics.
Obey Snonyms
Comply
To act according to a wish or command.
The staff must comply with company policies.
Follow
To go or come after a person or thing proceeding ahead.
The ducklings follow their mother around the pond.
Conform
To act in accord with the standards, rules, or laws.
The products conform to the required specifications.
Accede
To agree or express agreement; often following a request.
The board acceded to the terms of the merger.
Assent
To express agreement with a statement or proposal.
She assented to the new policies after some discussion.
Adhere
To stick fast to something; stay attached; be loyal or faithful.
She adheres to her principles no matter the pressure.
Fulfill
To carry out a task as required or expected.
The contractor fulfilled all obligations under the contract.
Submit
To accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority of another person.
The opposing team submitted after a long struggle.
Heed
To pay attention to; take notice of.
He did not heed the warning signs at the beach.
Consent
To give permission for something to happen.
He consented to the search of his vehicle.
Obey Idioms & Phrases
Obey the call of nature
To urinate or defecate.
He had to obey the call of nature during the hike.
Obey your thirst
Slogan encouraging to drink when one feels thirsty.
On hot days, it's important to obey your thirst.
Obey commands
To execute orders given by someone in authority.
The voice-activated device is designed to obey commands efficiently.
Obey the law
To act in accordance with legal regulations.
Good citizens obey the law.
Obey the sign
To follow instructions provided on a sign.
You must obey the sign that says 'Stop'.
Obey the speed limit
To drive within the legal speed restrictions.
Drivers should always obey the speed limit.
Obey without question
To follow orders without asking why.
The guards were trained to obey without question.
Obey the rules
To follow the established guidelines.
Players must obey the rules to ensure a fair game.
Obey instinct
To follow one's natural or inherent impulses.
Sometimes, it's wise to obey instinct in dangerous situations.
Obey one’s elders
To respect and follow the guidance of older people.
In many cultures, children are taught to obey their elders.
Obey Example Sentences
He was taught to always obey his parents.
It's important to obey all safety signs while hiking.
She decided to obey the stop sign despite the empty road.
The new software helps your computer to better obey commands.
You must obey the rules of the game to play.
The robot is programmed to obey your instructions.
To maintain order, everyone needs to obey the protocol.
Children, please obey your teacher.
During the drill, everyone should obey the coordinator.
It's not just about rules; it's about learning to obey the law.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in obey?
The stressed syllable in "obey" is "bey."
How is obey used in a sentence?
"Obey" is used as a verb to indicate compliance with commands or rules.
Why is it called obey?
"Obey" comes from the Old French "obeir," which itself stems from Latin "obedire," meaning "to listen to."
How do we divide obey into syllables?
Obey is divided into syllables as: o-bey.
What is the root word of obey?
The root of "obey" is from the Latin word "obedire."
What is the singular form of obey?
The singular form of "obey" is "obeys" when referring to third person singular present tense.
What is the pronunciation of obey?
Obey is pronounced as /oʊˈbeɪ/.
How many syllables are in obey?
There are two syllables in "obey."
What is the verb form of obey?
The verb form of "obey" is "obey."
What part of speech is obey?
"Obey" is a verb.
What is another term for obey?
Another term for "obey" is "comply."
Is obey a noun or adjective?
"Obey" is a verb.
Is obey an adverb?
No, "obey" is not an adverb; it is a verb.
Is obey an abstract noun?
No, "obey" is not a noun; it is a verb.
Is the word obey imperative?
Yes, "obey" can be used in an imperative form, as in commands.
Which determiner is used with obey?
Determiners are not typically used directly with the verb "obey."
What is the first form of obey?
The first form of "obey" is "obey."
Is obey a collective noun?
No, "obey" is not a noun; it is a verb.
Which vowel is used before obey?
The vowel used before "obey" can vary depending on the sentence.
Is obey a negative or positive word?
"Obey" is generally neutral but can be positive in contexts emphasizing safety and order.
Is obey a countable noun?
"Obey" is not a noun; it is a verb.
What is the opposite of obey?
The opposite of "obey" is "disobey."
Is obey a vowel or consonant?
The word "obey" starts with a vowel.
Is the obey term a metaphor?
No, "obey" is not typically used as a metaphor; it is a literal command.
Is the word “obey” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Obey" can have a direct object, as in "obey the rules."
Which preposition is used with obey?
The preposition most commonly used with "obey" is "to," as in "obey to the law."
Which conjunction is used with obey?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can be used with "obey" in complex sentences.
Which article is used with obey?
Articles are not used directly with the verb "obey."
What is the second form of obey?
The second form of "obey" is "obeyed."
What is the third form of obey?
The third form of "obey" is "obeyed."
What is the plural form of obey?
The plural form of "obey" is "obey" for the base form, and "obeying" for present participle.
Is the word obey Gerund?
The gerund form of "obey" is "obeying."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
