obey
/ə'bei/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of a person, rule, or law. It implies submission to authority or guidance.
Usage
- The verb "obey" is typically used with a direct object (a person, a rule, a law, an order, or a principle).
- It is often used in contexts involving authority, discipline, instruction, or safety.
- Common structures: "obey [someone/something]" or "obey without question."
Examples
- Verb:
- Children should obey their parents.
- All citizens must obey the law.
- The soldier refused to obey the unlawful order.
- The dog is trained to obey basic commands like 'sit' and 'stay'.
Advanced Usage
- "to obey blindly/unquestioningly": to follow orders without thinking or doubting.
- It is dangerous to obey authority figures blindly.
- "to obey the rules of the game": to follow the established conventions or procedures.
- To compete fairly, you must obey the rules of the game.
Variants and Related Words
- Obedient (adj): complying or willing to comply with orders or requests; submissive to authority.
- He was an obedient student.
- Obedience (n): compliance with an order, request, or law; submission to another's authority.
- The drill sergeant demanded absolute obedience.
Synonyms
- Comply with: to act in accordance with a wish, command, or rule.
- Follow: to act according to (an instruction, rule, or example).
- Abide by: to accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation).
Antonyms
- Disobey: to fail or refuse to obey.
- Defy: to openly resist or refuse to obey.
- Rebel against: to resist or rise up against authority or control.
Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations
- Obey an order: to carry out a command.
- The crew obeyed the captain's order to abandon ship.
- Obey the speed limit: to drive at or below the legally permitted speed.
- For safety, always obey the speed limit.
Related Idioms
- To obey the call of duty: to fulfill one's responsibilities, especially in a formal or military context.
- He obeyed the call of duty and enlisted in the army.
- To obey one's conscience: to act according to one's own sense of right and wrong.
- She chose to obey her conscience and report the wrongdoing.