Definitions and Examples of follow, obey
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To go or come after a person or thing that precedes, as in succession or order of arrival.
Example
The students were instructed to follow the teacher's lead during the experiment.
To comply with or submit to the authority or commands of someone in a position of power.
Example
The soldiers were trained to obey their commanding officer without question.
Key Differences: follow vs obey
- 1Follow implies going after someone or something in a sequence or order.
- 2Obey implies compliance with the authority or commands of someone in a position of power.
- 3Preside implies being in charge or having control over a meeting or event.
Effective Usage of follow, obey
- 1Leadership: Use preside to describe someone who is in charge of a meeting or event.
- 2Authority: Use obey to describe someone who follows the commands of someone in a position of power.
- 3Order: Use follow to describe someone who goes after someone or something in a sequence or order.
Remember this!
The antonyms have distinct nuances: Follow implies going after someone or something in a sequence or order, obey implies compliance with the authority or commands of someone in a position of power, and preside implies being in charge or having control over a meeting or event. Use these words to describe leadership, authority, and order.
