obeyed

/əʊˈbeɪ/ (bre, ipa) · [obˈed] /oʊˈbeɪ/ (ame, ipa)

obeyed — verb

  • obeyedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • obeyeds3rd person singular
  • obeyedding-ing form
  • obeyeddedpast simple

1. to do what a person in charge tells you to do, or to act in line with a rule, la

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to do what a person in charge tells you to do, or to act in line with a rule, law, sign, or written instruction.

例句

Soldiers must obey their commanding officer, even when the order seems harsh.

obey + [person in authority]

Drivers in Taipei have to obey the speed limit on every street.

obey + [rule/law]

同義詞
  • follow

    softer; works for advice or instructions, not just commands

  • comply with

    more formal; usually paired with rules, requests, or regulations

  • abide by

    formal; almost always with laws, rules, or agreements

反義詞
  • disobey

    direct opposite — refuse to follow

  • defy

    stronger; openly refuse and challenge authority

文法句型

obey + person

obey + rule/law/order

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person, animal, or group; object is either the authority figure (parent, officer, judge) or the rule, order, or instruction itself. Used intransitively when the obeyed party is clear from context.

常見錯誤

❌You must obey to your parents.
✅You must obey your parents.
💡'obey' is transitive in English; no preposition before the person.
❌The dog obeyed at the trainer.
✅The dog obeyed the trainer.
💡direct object only, no 'at' or 'with'.

2. of an object or natural system, to act in the way described by a scientific rule

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

of an object or natural system, to act in the way described by a scientific rule or principle.

例句

A falling apple obeys the law of gravity, no matter how high it starts.

[natural object] + obey + [scientific law]

Light obeys very strict rules when it passes through a glass prism.

同義詞
  • follow

    common alternative; less formal in scientific writing

  • conform to

    more academic; emphasises matching a stated pattern

反義詞
  • violate

    used when something appears to break a known law

文法句型

[object/system] + obey + [law/principle]

用法筆記

Subject is typically an inanimate object, force, or system such as light, gas, a wave, or a particle; object is a named scientific principle. Distinguish from sense 1: no authority figure is involved, only physical regularity.

常見錯誤

❌The water obeys to the law of pressure.
✅The water obeys the law of pressure.
💡direct object, no 'to'.

3. if a body part will not obey its owner, it fails to move or work as that person

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

if a body part will not obey its owner, it fails to move or work as that person wants, usually because of injury, illness, or strong emotion.

例句

After the stroke, Mr. Lin's left hand simply would not obey him.

frequently negated; body part as subject

Her legs refused to obey her as she tried to run from the burning house.

[body part] + refuse to obey + [person]

同義詞

文法句型

[body part] + (not) + obey + [person]

frequently negated

用法筆記

Almost always negative or limited, with forms such as 'would not', 'refused to', or 'no longer'. Subject is a body part like a hand, voice, leg, or fingers; object is the person who owns that body part. Distinguish from sense 1: the failure is physical, not a choice to disobey.

常見錯誤

❌My hands don't obey for me.
✅My hands won't obey me.
💡direct object, no 'for'; usually negative with 'won't' or 'wouldn't'.