o ‧ be ‧ di ‧ ence /əˈbiːdiəns/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ obey ≠ ↑ disobey ; noun : ↑ obedience ≠ ↑ disobedience ; adverb : ↑ obediently ≠ DISOBEDIENTLY ; adjective : ↑ obedient ≠ ↑ disobedient ]
when someone does what they are told to do, or what a law, rule etc says they must do OPP disobedience
obedience to
obedience to God
in obedience to something
He lived in obedience to the church’s teachings.
blind/unquestioning/complete obedience (=complete obedience without any thought)
With blind obedience, I allowed my father to organize my life.
obedience classes for dogs and their owners
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ blind obedience (=when you obey rules or a person without thinking about why)
I followed my father's commands with blind obedience.
▪ unquestioning obedience (=when you obey rules or a person without questioning whether they are right)
Even soldiers must not follow all orders with unquestioning obedience.
▪ absolute/complete/total obedience
The King required absolute obedience.
■ verbs
▪ demand/expect obedience
Parents should not demand unquestioning obedience from their children.
▪ owe somebody obedience
The knights owed obedience to their king.
▪ swear obedience
Monks swore obedience to the Pope.