# insubordination

/ˌɪnsəˌbɔɹdəˈneɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌɪnsəbˌɔːdɪnˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/insubordination
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Synonyms

disobedience, defiance, rebelliousness, noncompliance, recalcitrance

## Antonyms

obedience, compliance, submission

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.