disobey
Flout the rules
To disobey is to fail or refuse to follow a rule, order, or authority.
Children disobey parents, soldiers disobey commanders, citizens disobey laws: She disobeyed her doctor's orders and went back to work.
The word implies willful defiance rather than mere failure—you can't accidentally disobey.
Violate a boundary
- breachBreaking of agreement
- infringeViolate another's rights
- breakInterrupt continuity
- floutOpenly defy authority
overstep · trespass · contravene · disregard · ignore · infraction · lawbreaking · offense
Resist or challenge openly
- resistOppose or refuse compliance
- refuseReject or garbage
- rejectDismiss as unsuitable
- opposeAct against something
challenge · flout · spurn · rebuff · dissent · balk · disregard · ignore
Organized resistance to power
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
- insurgenceRevolt against established authority
sedition · coup · overthrow · riot · revolutionary · guerrilla · subversion · insurgent
Defying workplace authority
- unrulinessDifficult to manage behavior
- waywardnessStubborn resistance to guidance
- delinquencyCriminal or neglectful behavior
- recalcitranceStubborn refusal to obey
misbehavior · disorderliness · truancy · acting out · troublemaking · defiant · uncooperative · incorrigible
Public display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- rallyGathering for a cause
- boycottOrganized economic protest
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
sit-in · picket · activism · petition · walkout · hunger strike · vigil · blockade
Freedom from external control
- free willAutonomous choice capacity
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- agencyPower to act
- choiceAct of selecting
freedom · liberty · self-reliance · nonconformity · individualism · empowerment · volition · self-direction
transgress
Violate a boundary
flout · overstep · trespass · contravene · disregard · ignore · infraction · lawbreaking · offense · unlawful
defy
Resist or challenge openly
oppose · challenge · flout · spurn · rebuff · dissent · balk · disregard · ignore · contravene
revolt
Organized resistance to power
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
insurgence · sedition · coup · overthrow · riot · revolutionary · guerrilla · subversion · insurgent · rebel
insubordination
Defying workplace authority
- unrulinessDifficult to manage behavior
- waywardnessStubborn resistance to guidance
- delinquencyCriminal or neglectful behavior
recalcitrance · misbehavior · disorderliness · truancy · acting out · troublemaking · defiant · uncooperative · incorrigible · contumacy
demonstration
Public display of opinion
strike · sit-in · picket · activism · petition · walkout · hunger strike · vigil · blockade · occupation
independence
Freedom from external control
- free willAutonomous choice capacity
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- agencyPower to act
choice · freedom · liberty · self-reliance · nonconformity · individualism · empowerment · volition · self-direction · freethinking
- defiancedefiance, insubordination, noncompliance, rebellion, defy
- DIS- wordsdisagree, disallow, disbelieve, disapprove, disarray
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- opposeoppose, resist, defy, reject, refuse
- Stand Upstand firm, stand ground, make a stand, hold firm, face up to
- civil disobediencePeaceful refusal to obey
disobedient, disobedience, disobeyed, disobeys, disobeying, disobediently