insubordinate

adjective

in·​sub·​or·​di·​nate ˌin(t)-sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət 

-ˈbȯrd-nət

: disobedient to authority

insubordinate noun

insubordinately adverb

insubordination

ˌin(t)-sə-ˌbȯr-də-ˈnā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• balky
• contrary
• contumacious
• defiant
• disobedient
• froward
• incompliant
• intractable
• obstreperous
• rebel
• rebellious
• recalcitrant
• recusant
• refractory
• restive
• ungovernable
• unruly
• untoward
• wayward
• willful
• wilful

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

At the start of its fourth season, SNL was no longer the insubordinate new kid on the block. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2025

Insomnia is a mark of the insubordinate imagination. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025

Joey attempts to help Monica gain respect among the insubordinate kitchen staff at her new job, and things don't go well for Rachel when Chandler sets her up on a bad date with a colleague. —Eric Todisco, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024

The police department says the most recent investigation showed Cpt. Danita Pettis was dishonest, entered false payroll information, and was insubordinate. —Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insubordinate

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate
• isocyanate

Kids Definition

insubordinate

adjective

in·​sub·​or·​di·​nate ˌin(t)-sə-ˈbȯrd-ᵊn-ət 

-ˈbȯrd-nət

: not obeying authority : disobedient

insubordinately adverb

insubordination

-ˌbȯrd-ᵊn-ˈā-shən 

noun