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adj C1 Advanced

insubordinate

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Insubordinate (adj) means refusing to obey orders or accept authority; defiant. Example: “The soldier was disciplined for insubordinate behavior.”

adj
1
Refusing to obey orders or accept authority; defiant.
"The soldier was disciplined for insubordinate behavior."

How to use insubordinate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOpenly disobedient toward someone in charge.

Common pairings
insubordinate employee insubordinate conduct
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Word forms

Plural
insubordinates
Third person singular
insubordinates
Past tense
insubordinated
Comparative
more insubordinate
Superlative
most insubordinate
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The soldier was disciplined for _____ behavior.

Etymology

From in- ("not") + subordinate, modeled on French insubordonné.

Origin: French

resistive resistant

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for insubordinate

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Frequently asked questions

What does “insubordinate” mean?
The word “insubordinate” means refusing to obey orders or accept authority; defiant. In plain terms, openly disobedient toward someone in charge.
How do you use “insubordinate” in a sentence?
Here is “insubordinate” used in a sentence: “The soldier was disciplined for insubordinate behavior.”
What part of speech is “insubordinate”?
“Insubordinate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “insubordinate” come from?
The word “insubordinate” comes from French. From in- ("not") + subordinate, modeled on French insubordonné.

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