to abide / to obey
I'm confused with the two words to abide and to obey. I think they are not synonynous, but can someone please explain the difference between

to abide by the rules
to obey a rule

Thank you sooo much

much appreciated

Regards

Question

to abide / to obey
I'm confused with the two words to abide and to obey. I think they are not synonynous, but can someone please explain the difference between

to abide by the rules
to obey a rule

Thank you sooo much

much appreciated

Regards

Answer

abide=obey(but usually applied to rules/laws/policies,etc)

Answer

The two words can mean to obey a law, but there are other differences in meaning.
If a group has differences, but they make a compromise, we say that they will all abide by the decision, meaning that they will accept it without objection.  We would never say that the members obey the decision.
Also 'abide' can mean tolerate, put up with.
"I can't abide his lateness" = I can't tolerate his being late.

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