| English Dictionary |
DISOBEDIENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does disobedient mean?
• DISOBEDIENT (adjective)
The adjective DISOBEDIENT has 2 senses:
1. not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority
2. unwilling to submit to authority
Familiarity information: DISOBEDIENT used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority
Context example:
disobedient children
Similar:
contrary; obstinate; perverse; wayward (resistant to guidance or discipline)
fractious; recalcitrant; refractory (stubbornly resistant to authority or control)
froward; headstrong; self-willed; wilful; willful (habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition)
recusant (refusing to submit to authority)
Also:
incorrigible (impervious to correction by punishment)
defiant; noncompliant (boldly resisting authority or an opposing force)
bad (having undesirable or negative qualities)
difficult; unmanageable (hard to control)
obstinate; stubborn; unregenerate (tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield)
intractable (not tractable; difficult to manage or mold)
Attribute:
obedience (the trait of being willing to obey)
Antonym:
obedient (dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority)
Derivation:
disobedience (the failure to obey)
disobey (refuse to go along with; refuse to follow; be disobedient)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Unwilling to submit to authority
Synonyms:
disobedient; unruly
Context example:
unruly teenagers
Similar:
insubordinate (not submissive to authority)
Derivation:
disobedience (the trait of being unwilling to obey)
disobey (refuse to go along with; refuse to follow; be disobedient)
Context examples
A behavior disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior towards authority figures, manifested by a frequent loss of temper, arguing, becoming angry or vindictive, or other negativistic behaviors.
(Oppositional Defiant Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)
THEY only knew how little he had had to tempt him to be disobedient, and how small was the consolation, beyond the consciousness of doing right, that could remain to him in the loss of friends and fortune.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"The flower has no front or back." (Afghanistan proverb)
"If you hear a person talking good about things that aren't in you, don't be sure that he wouldn't also say bad things about things that aren't in you." (Arabic proverb)
"East or West, home is best." (Czech proverb)