Obey vs. Submit — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 27, 2024
Obeying involves following directives without question, while submitting encompasses yielding or surrendering to authority.
Difference Between Obey and Submit
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Obeying is typically about adherence to specific rules or commands given by a figure of authority, such as laws or parental guidelines. It implies a direct action in response to a directive. Whereas, submitting goes beyond mere obedience to include a voluntary acceptance of authority, often implying a level of humility or acknowledgment of someone else's superiority in a particular context.
Obedience is often seen in structured environments where clear instructions are given and expected to be followed, such as in the military or within a structured family setting. On the other hand, submission can be found in relationships or situations that require a person to yield their will or preferences to another, which might not always involve direct orders, such as in some religious or cultural practices.
While obedience focuses on the act of following orders, submission involves an attitude or stance of yielding, which may not necessarily be in response to a specific command. For instance, one may submit to the cultural norms of a community without being explicitly told to do so.
Obedience is often enforced through external measures such as rules, laws, or parental authority, ensuring compliance through potential consequences. In contrast, submission is generally a more internalized action, often motivated by respect, love, or recognition of authority, without the immediate presence of external enforcement.
In contexts where authority is exercised, obedience is usually the expected response to commands, emphasizing the performance of specific actions. Submitting, however, can reflect a deeper relationship dynamic, such as trust or respect, that influences one's behavior beyond mere compliance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
To follow orders or commands.
To yield or surrender to authority.
Motivation
Compliance with rules or direct commands.
Acknowledgment of authority or superiority.
Context
Structured environments with clear directives.
Relationships or systems with inherent hierarchy.
Nature
Action-oriented.
Attitude or stance-oriented.
Enforcement
External (laws, rules).
Internal (respect, love).
Compare with Definitions
Obey
It implies immediate compliance.
The children obeyed their teacher's instruction to quiet down.
Submit
Seen in a variety of social and personal relationships.
In the debate, he submitted to his opponent's superior arguments.
Obey
Focuses on adhering to specific directives.
Employees obey workplace safety protocols.
Submit
Involves giving in or yielding to someone else's authority.
The applicant submitted to a background check.
Obey
Often driven by external rules.
Citizens obey traffic laws to avoid fines.
Submit
Encompasses a broader stance of yielding.
The employee submitted to the new company policies.
Obey
Obeying means following instructions precisely.
The soldiers obeyed the general's command to advance.
Submit
It includes a voluntary aspect.
The subject submitted his will to the king.
Obey
Common in structured settings.
In the military, obedience is paramount.
Submit
Driven by internal values like respect or love.
The devotee submitted to the deity’s will.
Obey
To carry out or fulfill the command, order, or instruction of.
Submit
Submit is an EP by the British band Pitchshifter, released on 23 March 1992 by Earache on LP, MC and CD.French black metal band Blut aus Nord covered "Bastardiser" for their EP Debemur Morti.
Obey
To carry out or comply with (a command, for example).
Submit
To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.
Obey
To behave obediently.
Submit
To subject to a condition or process
Submit a tissue sample to testing.
Obey
(transitive) To do as ordered by (a person, institution etc), to act according to the bidding of.
Submit
To present (something) to the consideration or judgment of another
We submitted our ideas to our supervisor.
Obey
(intransitive) To do as one is told.
Submit
To offer as a proposition or contention
I submit that the terms are entirely unreasonable.
Obey
To be obedient, compliant (to a given law, restriction etc.).
Submit
To accept or give in to the authority, power, or will of another.
Obey
To give ear to; to execute the commands of; to yield submission to; to comply with the orders of.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord.
Was she the God, that her thou didst obey?
Submit
To allow oneself to be subjected to something
Submit to an interview.
Submit to drug testing.
Obey
To submit to the authority of; to be ruled by.
My will obeyed his will.
Afric and India shall his power obey.
Submit
(intransitive) To yield or give way to another.
They will not submit to the destruction of their rights.
Obey
To yield to the impulse, power, or operation of; as, a ship obeys her helm.
Submit
(transitive) To yield (something) to another, as when defeated.
Obey
To give obedience.
Will he obey when one commands?
His servants ye are, to whom ye obey.
He commanded the trumpets to sound: to which the two brave knights obeying, they performed their courses.
Submit
(ambitransitive) To enter or put forward for approval, consideration, marking etc.
I submit these plans for your approval.
Obey
Be obedient to
Submit
(transitive) To subject; to put through a process.
Submit
To win a fight against (an opponent) by submission.
Submit
To let down; to lower.
Submit
To put or place under.
Submit
To let down; to lower.
Sometimes the hill submits itself a while.
Submit
To put or place under.
The bristled throatOf the submitted sacrifice with ruthless steel he cut.
Submit
To yield, resign, or surrender to power, will, or authority; - often with the reflexive pronoun.
Ye ben submitted through your free assent.
The angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands.
Submit
To leave or commit to the discretion or judgment of another or others; to refer; as, to submit a controversy to arbitrators; to submit a question to the court; - often followed by a dependent proposition as the object.
Whether the condition of the clergy be able to bear a heavy burden, is submitted to the house.
We submit that a wooden spoon of our day would not be justified in calling Galileo and Napier blockheads because they never heard of the differential calculus.
Submit
To yield one's person to the power of another; to give up resistance; to surrender.
The revolted provinces presently submitted.
Submit
To yield one's opinion to the opinion of authority of another; to be subject; to acquiesce.
To thy husband's willThine shall submit.
Submit
To be submissive or resigned; to yield without murmuring.
Our religion requires from us . . . to submit to pain, disgrace, and even death.
Submit
Refer for judgment or consideration;
She submitted a proposal to the agency
Submit
Put before;
I submit to you that the accused is guilty
Submit
Yield to the control of another
Submit
Hand over formally
Submit
Refer to another person for decision or judgment;
She likes to relegate difficult questions to her colleagues
Submit
Submit or yield to another's wish or opinion;
The government bowed to the military pressure
Submit
Accept or undergo, often unwillingly;
We took a pay cut
Submit
Make an application as for a job or funding;
We put in a grant to the NSF
Submit
Make over as a return;
They had to render the estate
Submit
Accept as inevitable;
He resigned himself to his fate
Common Curiosities
Can you obey without submitting?
Yes, one can obey without submitting by merely following orders without internalizing any authority or superiority of the one giving the orders.
In what contexts is obedience required?
Obedience is required in structured environments like the military, within legal systems, or in family settings.
Is submitting seen as a weakness?
Not necessarily; submitting can be a sign of respect, love, or understanding of one's position within a certain context, rather than weakness.
How is submitting different from obeying?
Submitting involves a voluntary aspect of yielding or surrendering authority, often with an internal motivation, unlike obeying, which is about compliance with explicit commands.
What role does culture play in obedience and submission?
Culture significantly influences attitudes towards obedience and submission, shaping norms around authority, respect, and social hierarchy.
Are there legal implications to not obeying?
Yes, failing to obey legal commands can result in penalties, fines, or other legal consequences.
Is obedience mandatory in all religious contexts?
While many religions emphasize obedience to divine commands, the context and interpretation of obedience can vary widely among different faiths.
What does it mean to obey someone?
Obeying someone means following their directives or commands without questioning.
Why do people submit to authority?
People submit to authority for various reasons, including respect, love, cultural norms, or acknowledgment of someone's expertise or superior position.
How do children learn to obey?
Children learn to obey through guidance from parents or guardians, understanding of consequences, and social learning from their environment.
Can submission be empowering?
Yes, in some contexts, choosing to submit can be empowering, especially if it's a voluntary act of trust or respect towards someone else.
Is it always good to submit?
It depends on the context; submission can be positive in healthy relationships or systems but negative in situations where it leads to exploitation or abuse.
What psychological factors influence obedience and submission?
Psychological factors include personality traits, upbringing, cultural background, and situational variables like authority presence or group pressure.
How does one show submission?
Submission can be shown through actions, attitudes, or verbal acknowledgment of another's authority or superiority.
Can you submit to someone you don't respect?
Technically, yes, but true submission often involves some level of respect, trust, or acknowledgment of the other's position.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Design vs. Implementation
Next Comparison
Humiliate vs. DegradeAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
