Word
insubordination
Phoneticsin·sub·or·di·na·tion, stress on the fifth syllable
US/ˌɪnsəˌbɔɹdəˈneɪʃən/
UK/ˌɪnsəbˌɔːdɪnˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. refusal to obey a boss, teacher, or officer who has power over you. You use this when someone openly does not follow orders or rules.
n. refusal to submit to or obey lawful authority, especially within a hierarchical organization such as the military or workplace. Typically involves open defiance of orders or established rules.
Examples
“His insubordination gets him into trouble at work.”
“The manager warns the new employee that repeated insubordination will lead to dismissal.”
“The tribunal distinguished principled dissent from outright insubordination, noting that questioning a policy in private differs from refusing a direct order in public.”
Examples
simple
“His insubordination gets him into trouble at work.”
contextual
“The manager warns the new employee that repeated insubordination will lead to dismissal.”
complex
“The tribunal distinguished principled dissent from outright insubordination, noting that questioning a policy in private differs from refusing a direct order in public.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “insubordination” in context.
Verb
01. accuse of insubordination
“The officer accused the soldier of insubordination for ignoring orders.”
verb + prep + noun
02. amount to insubordination
“Deliberately ignoring a lawful order amounts to insubordination.”
verb + prep + noun
03. border on insubordination
“Talking back to your manager like that borders on insubordination.”
verb + prep + noun
04. dismiss for insubordination
“The company can dismiss employees for insubordination after repeated warnings.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. blatant insubordination
“Refusing a direct order in front of the class was blatant insubordination.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. act of insubordination
“Walking out of the meeting was seen as an act of insubordination.”
noun + prep + noun
07. case of insubordination
“The tribunal reviewed a clear case of insubordination by the clerk.”
noun + prep + noun
08. charge of insubordination
“He faces a charge of insubordination after disobeying his superior.”
noun + prep + noun
09. amounts to blatant insubordination
“Shouting at a senior officer in public amounts to blatant insubordination.”
10. an act of wilful insubordination
“Leaving his post without permission was an act of wilful insubordination.”
11. be dismissed for gross insubordination
“The pilot was dismissed for gross insubordination after refusing safety checks.”
12. face charges of insubordination
“The sailor could face charges of insubordination for defying orders.”
Real-World Examples
“During the rebel offensive, Min Aung Hlaing sacked Lashio’s regional commander for insubordination after an argument, according to analyst Min Zaw Oo, who has interacted with junta officials, and Ye Myo Hein.” “The editor-in-chief of US military newspaper Stars and Stripes has told the BBC of his concern over censorship a day after being dismissed by the US Department of Defense (DoD) for "insubordination".” Etymology
From in- + subordination, on the model of French insubordination.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/insubordination