adj C1 Advanced

insubordinate

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

adj

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

Word forms

more insubordinate comparative, insubordinated past tense, insubordinates plural, insubordinates singular, most insubordinate superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “insubordinate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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

Rhymes for insubordinate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

See all rhymes for insubordinate →

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.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include insubordinate:

C1 vocabulary words