insubordinate

[ in-suh-bawr-dn-it ]

/ ˌɪn səˈbɔr dn ɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR insubordinate ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not submitting to authority; disobedient: an insubordinate soldier.

not lower.

noun

a person who is insubordinate.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

instrumentality, instrumentally, instrumentarium, instrumentation, instrumented, insubordinate, insubordination, insubstantial, insubstantially, insudate, insufferable

Origin of insubordinate

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

SYNONYMS FOR insubordinate

1 refractory, defiant, insolent.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR insubordinate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·sub·or·di·nate·ly, adverbin·sub·or·di·na·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for insubordinate

Not a spoiler, but next week Maggie says something to Will that even she acknowledges is “inappropriate” and “insubordinate.”
HBO’s ‘The Newsroom’: Aaron Sorkin’s Woman Problem|Jace Lacob, Maureen Ryan|July 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At her first glance, Rome saw nothing in Martin Luther but a vulgar, insubordinate, quarrelsome monk.
History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science|John William Draper
Usually the crews thus obtained were treacherous and insubordinate.
The Naval History of the United States|Willis J. Abbot.
By the postmaster-generals' minute Palmer, the insubordinate Post Office servant, was dismissed.
The History of the Post Office|Herbert Joyce

When his insubordinate and intriguing spirit compelled his recall he was transferred as envoy to the canton of the Valais.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 8|Various
In 1889, Woodhouse was cautioned by the postmaster for insubordinate conduct to the inspector.
The British State Telegraphs|Hugo Richard Meyer

British Dictionary definitions for insubordinate

insubordinate

/ (ˌɪnsəˈbɔːdɪnɪt) /

adjective

not submissive to authority; disobedient or rebellious

not in a subordinate position or rank

noun

an insubordinate person

Derived Forms

insubordinately, adverbinsubordination, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012