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

• ˌinsubˈordinately, adverb
• ˌinsubˌordiˈnation, noun

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

“I was getting to a point where I was going to have to tell my management — you know, be insubordinate — because I couldn’t rush through that fast.”

From Seattle Times

But just because these White House kids have the right to be anonymous doesn’t mean they are entitled to be insubordinate.

From Washington Times

Taylor, who is now the city’s deputy public safety director, said that during their time in the homicide unit, she had dealt with complaints about Murphey being insubordinate and combative with colleagues.

From Salon

And they framed Paxton as the victim of a "witch hunt" orchestrated by Texas House leadership, "the Bush dynasty" and insubordinate former deputies-turned-whistleblowers in his office.

From Salon

And it’s interesting to see this new side of Barbara, Keeley’s CEO, normally so rude and borderline insubordinate, now that she is dealing with someone she sees as a true superior.

From New York Times