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insubordination

Insubordination (noun) means Deliberate refusal to obey someone in authority, especially a supervisor or officer. Example: “He was fired for insubordination after ignoring direct orders.”

noun
1
Deliberate refusal to obey someone in authority, especially a supervisor or officer.
"He was fired for insubordination after ignoring direct orders."

How to use insubordination

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe act of defying or disobeying an authority figure.

When to use it

Common in formal workplace and military contexts.

Common pairings
charged with insubordination act of insubordination

Word forms

insubordinations plural

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He was fired for _____ after ignoring direct orders.

Etymology

From in- ("not") + subordination, modeled on French insubordination.

Origin: French

Related words

Rhymes for insubordination

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Frequently asked questions

What does “insubordination” mean?

The word “insubordination” means deliberate refusal to obey someone in authority, especially a supervisor or officer. In plain terms, the act of defying or disobeying an authority figure.

How do you use “insubordination” in a sentence?

Here is “insubordination” used in a sentence: “He was fired for insubordination after ignoring direct orders.”

What part of speech is “insubordination”?

“Insubordination” is a noun.

Where does the word “insubordination” come from?

The word “insubordination” comes from French. From in- ("not") + subordination, modeled on French insubordination.

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