obey
Soldiers must obey their commander without question.
This shows strict compliance with authority figures.
to comply with or follow instructions, laws, or commands
Children are taught to obey their parents.
This reflects the expected behavior in family structures.
The robot is programmed to obey its owner's voice commands.
This illustrates mechanical compliance with human input.
Often implies submission to authority or rules. Can sound formal in casual contexts.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid passive voice overuse
Instead of 'Rules must be obeyed by everyone,' use 'Everyone must obey the rules' for clarity.
Gold Rule
Subject-Authority Relationship
Obey implies a hierarchy: the subject (who obeys) is subordinate to the authority (whose rules/commands are followed).
Word Origin
From Middle English obeien, from Old French obeir, from Latin oboedīre (to obey), from ob- (toward) + audīre (to hear).
Usage Notes
Used for people, animals, or machines following instructions. Avoid in contexts requiring autonomy (e.g., not used for 'obey your heart').