Obeyto do what someone in charge or a rule requires means to do what a person, rule, command, or law says. It usually describes following instructionsdirections telling someone what to do or accepting authoritythe power or right to give orders and expect compliance.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /oʊˈbeɪ/
Easy pronunciation: oh-BAY (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: bay is stronger than oh.
Verb meaning to do what you are told or to follow a rule.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Obey Meaning
to follow instructions or a rule
Part of speech: verb
Definition: To do what someone tells you to do, or to follow a rule, law, or instruction.
Example: The children were told to obey the teacher.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- comply — A strong substitute when someone follows a rule, request, or instruction.
- follow — Works in many everyday contexts, especially with directions or instructions.
- conform — Works when obeying means matching rules or expectations.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Obey Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- comply
- follow
- conform
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use 'obey' for animals only, but it also applies to people, rules, and laws.
- 'Obey' is not the same as simply 'listen' or 'hear'—it means actually do what is required.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does obey mean?
Obey means to do what a person, rule, law, or instruction says. It is about following authority or directions.
What are synonyms for obey?
Common synonyms for obey include comply, follow, and conform, depending on the context.
Is obey a formal word?
It can sound a little formal or serious, especially in rules, law, or authority contexts, but it is also common in everyday English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.