insubordinate

adjective

in·​sub·​or·​di·​nate ˌin(t)-sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət How to pronounce insubordinate (audio)
-ˈbȯrd-nət
: disobedient to authority
insubordinate noun
insubordinately adverb

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
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.
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 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 See all Example Sentences for insubordinate 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insubordinate was circa 1828

Dictionary Entries Near insubordinate

Cite this Entry

“Insubordinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insubordinate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

insubordinate

adjective
in·​sub·​or·​di·​nate ˌin(t)-sə-ˈbȯrd-ᵊn-ət How to pronounce insubordinate (audio)
-ˈbȯrd-nət
: not obeying authority : disobedient
insubordinately adverb
insubordination noun

More from Merriam-Webster on insubordinate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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