obey

Obey is a verb meaning to comply with the commands, orders, or wishes of someone in authority, or to conform to laws and rules. It implies submission to an authority figure or system and deliberate compliance. The object of obedience is typically a person (such as a parent, boss, or police officer) or an institution (the law, a rule). Obey is often contrasted with disobey or with comply; the distinction is that obey emphasizes following explicit directives from an authority, while comply can refer to meeting requirements or standards more broadly, sometimes without direct instruction.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from Middle English obedien, from Old French obedier, from Latin obedire “to obey,” formed from ob- (toward) and audire (to hear). It is cognate with French obéir and Spanish obedecer. In usage, obey is transitive and takes a direct object, as in “obey the law,” “obey traffic signals,” or “obey your parents.”

Legal, ethical, and social context: In many societies, obedience to laws and rules is required to maintain order and safety; noncompliance can incur penalties. Ethically, obedience to legitimate authority is debated: it may be considered virtuous when authorities act justly, but blind obedience can raise concerns about conscience and moral responsibility. Civil disobedience represents a deliberate, principled breaking of certain laws to protest perceived injustices, often paired with a willingness to accept lawful consequences.

Psychology and culture: Obedience is influenced by social norms, perceived legitimacy of the authority, and the context in which directives are given. Classic research on obedience has informed discussions about how authority shapes behavior and the safeguards needed in institutions to prevent abusive or unjust directives.