insubordinate
adjective
in·sub·or·di·nate
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət 
-ˈbȯrd-nət
: disobedient to authority
Synonyms
Examples of insubordinate in a Sentence
His behavior was unprofessional and insubordinate.
the junior officer was court-martialed for being insubordinate
Recent Examples on the Web
If anything, Truman waited too long to do it after MacArthur failed to anticipate or even detect the Chinese intervention and then grew increasingly insubordinate, criticizing Truman and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in his communications with Congress.
—
Mike Gallagher, Foreign Affairs, 26 July 2023
But even just with blueprints for the space, Culpepper tried to block out those moments in a way that made sense for the shifting power dynamics between would-be teacher and insubordinate student, alternating who appeared taller and more in control of the frame.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 July 2024
What’s more, a recent WFH Research study co-authored by workplace guru Nick Bloom found that frustrated managers are increasingly likely to take action against insubordinate remote workers.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 19 July 2024
Outside commentators should not necessarily read a slow-moving Pentagon as insubordinate, or a frustrated White House as unreasonable.
—Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2018
See all Example Sentences for insubordinate 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mike Gallagher, Foreign Affairs, 26 July 2023
But even just with blueprints for the space, Culpepper tried to block out those moments in a way that made sense for the shifting power dynamics between would-be teacher and insubordinate student, alternating who appeared taller and more in control of the frame.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 July 2024
What’s more, a recent WFH Research study co-authored by workplace guru Nick Bloom found that frustrated managers are increasingly likely to take action against insubordinate remote workers.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 19 July 2024
Outside commentators should not necessarily read a slow-moving Pentagon as insubordinate, or a frustrated White House as unreasonable.
—Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2018
See all Example Sentences for insubordinate
Dictionary Entries Near insubordinate
Cite this Entry
“Insubordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insubordinate. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insubordinate
adjective
in·sub·or·di·nate
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈbȯrd-ᵊn-ət
-ˈbȯrd-nət
: not obeying authority : disobedient
insubordinately
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share