insubordination
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of insubordination
First recorded in 1785–95; in- 3 ( def. ) + subordinat(e) ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )
Explanation
People in charge — like bosses and teachers — hate insubordination, which means that someone is defying their authority. When a student is disrespectful to a teacher or says something like "I won't do this homework!", that's an act of insubordination. If a teacher didn't do what the principal wanted, that would also be insubordination. This word is often used in relation to the military, where giving and taking orders is extremely important. A soldier who commits insubordination — by disobeying an order — can be in a lot of trouble. Anywhere there's insubordination, someone with less power (a subordinate) is giving someone with more power a whole lot of trouble.
Vocabulary lists containing insubordination
100 SAT Words Beginning with "I"
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Ender's Game
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The Princess Bride
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Into this chaos walks a man with an iron fist, a famous surname and zero tolerance for insubordination.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Truman fired MacArthur for his insubordination, at some political risk.
From Slate • Jul. 18, 2024
“For now, because of this insubordination and consequences it has brought upon the system, President Lee has been placed on administrative leave,” García said.
From Seattle Times • May 16, 2024
In the fall of 2010, the head football coach terminated Sell as an assistant due to Sell’s insubordination and refusal to stop spending time with one of the two other boys who are now suing.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2023
I have to appear as a witness and explain the reason of Tjaden’s insubordination.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
