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

Other Word Forms

• insubordinately adverb
• insubordination noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insubordinate¹

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

Example Sentences

Because of the SSA’s stultifying culture, Dudek said, he leaned into his insubordinate streak.

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Women who demand life-saving health care, especially after they "failed" at pregnancy, are seen as insubordinate.

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“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.”

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

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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.

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