insubordinate

[ in-suh-bawr-dn-it ]

adjective

1. not submitting to authority; disobedient:

   an insubordinate soldier.

   Synonyms: insolent, defiant, refractory

2. not lower.

noun

1. a person who is insubordinate.

insubordinate

/ ˌɪnsəˈbɔːdɪnɪt /

adjective

1. not submissive to authority; disobedient or rebellious
2. not in a subordinate position or rank

noun

1. an insubordinate person

Derived Forms

• ˌinsubˌordiˈnation, noun
• ˌinsubˈordinately, adverb

Other Words From

• insub·ordi·nate·ly adverb
• insub·ordi·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insubordinate¹

First recorded in 1840–50; in- ³ + subordinate

Example Sentences

If any orphan admitted to the school should be incompetent to learn, or master a trade … or become insubordinate, or guilty of vice or crime … or become an unfit companion for the others … he may be removed or expelled.

From ProPublica

Of course, if the message still isn’t getting through, there may be a bigger issue at play, either with your boss struggling to assert her authority or your insubordinate peer failing to recognize it.

From Washington Post

Not a spoiler, but next week Maggie says something to Will that even she acknowledges is “inappropriate” and “insubordinate.”

From The Daily Beast

The sisters took advantage of the scandal she had caused to act in an insubordinate way towards her.

From Project Gutenberg

Drunk or sober, they were constantly insubordinate, setting a bad example to the crew, and quarrelling with each other.

From Project Gutenberg

"Pull yourself together, dear old officer," said Bones, raising his voice to an insubordinate pitch.

From Project Gutenberg

William Moore was an insubordinate gunner; after an altercation, Kidd hit him on the head with a bucket, and he died.

From Project Gutenberg

An insubordinate clergy and a dissolute populace quickly felt the hand that now held the reins.

From Project Gutenberg