Definitions and Examples of disobey, violate, defy
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To refuse to obey a rule or authority.
Example
He chose to disobey his parents' curfew and stayed out late with his friends.
To break or fail to comply with a law, rule, or agreement.
Example
The company was fined for violating environmental regulations.
defy
To openly resist or refuse to obey a person, authority, or norm.
Example
The protesters decided to defy the government's ban on public gatherings.
Key Differences: disobey vs violate vs defy
- 1Disobey implies a refusal to follow a specific rule or authority.
- 2Violate suggests breaking a law, rule, or agreement.
- 3Defy conveys open resistance or refusal to obey a person, authority, or norm.
Effective Usage of disobey, violate, defy
- 1Legal Context: Use violate to describe breaking laws or regulations.
- 2Parenting: Use disobey to describe a child not following parental instructions.
- 3Social Movements: Use defy to describe open resistance against oppressive systems or norms.
Remember this!
The antonyms of conform are disobey, violate, and defy. These words convey the opposite meaning of conform, which is to follow rules or standards. Each word has a distinct nuance, with disobey implying a refusal to follow a specific rule or authority, violate suggesting breaking a law, rule, or agreement, and defy conveying open resistance or refusal to obey a person, authority, or norm. These words can be used in legal contexts, parenting, and social movements.
