as in rebellion
refusal to obey
was fired for chronic insubordination
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Recent Examples of insubordination
Nanos reportedly has to answer for earlier disciplinary records that were not disclosed, including allegations of excessive force, insubordination, and a resignation instead of termination in 1982.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
In local news, President Levy Mwanawasa has sacked his vice president, Nevers Mumba, for insubordination.
—Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026
Two years ago, the Clinton Fire Department Group 4 captain filed written complaints about one of Lutes’ sons, including an allegation of insubordination.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
This inquiry was taken not as a matter of idle curiosity but as an act of insubordination.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
The Arizona Republic cites records obtained from the El Paso PD that purportedly include allegations of insubordination, insufficiency, tardiness, and numerous disciplinary reviews related to accusations of excessive force, dereliction of duty, and off-duty gambling.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
He was terminated over allegations of abuse of power, insubordination, abuse of leave policies, and failure to report damage to a department vehicle.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Green Thumb asserted Contreras was terminated for insubordination and other reasons.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
Their prophet, the woman who brought Shakerism from Manchester, England all the way to the American colonies in 1774, played by Amanda Seyfried, learns of the insubordination.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
In local news, President Levy Mwanawasa has sacked his vice president, Nevers Mumba, for insubordination.
—Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026
Two years ago, the Clinton Fire Department Group 4 captain filed written complaints about one of Lutes’ sons, including an allegation of insubordination.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
This inquiry was taken not as a matter of idle curiosity but as an act of insubordination.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
The Arizona Republic cites records obtained from the El Paso PD that purportedly include allegations of insubordination, insufficiency, tardiness, and numerous disciplinary reviews related to accusations of excessive force, dereliction of duty, and off-duty gambling.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
He was terminated over allegations of abuse of power, insubordination, abuse of leave policies, and failure to report damage to a department vehicle.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Green Thumb asserted Contreras was terminated for insubordination and other reasons.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
Their prophet, the woman who brought Shakerism from Manchester, England all the way to the American colonies in 1774, played by Amanda Seyfried, learns of the insubordination.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubordination
Noun
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Executive produced by Mariska Hargitay, The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony is a lyrical coming-of-age journey as these girls turn their team into a small rebellion.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In Season 2, the two young couples will be tested and separated by forces beyond their control, as every clan chooses a side in the rebellion.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her parents were raised under martial law and international isolation; defiance had seemed impossible.—
Michelle Kuo,
The Dial,
14 Apr. 2026
-
For example, more than 280 Venezuelan migrants were sent to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, where routine torture has been documented, in defiance of a federal court order.—
Erwin Chemerinsky,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The pseudo-goth hair and costume choices speak to an inner rebelliousness that isn’t so much unleashed as forced loose by a system that values the appearance of a mythical impartiality over her humanity, leaving her with little recourse but to step outside the confines of the law.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The natural obstinacy and rebelliousness of Israa’s teenage years are hyperaccelerated by culture clashes with both her family and the other kids around her.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Fernando Melo Flores, a 40-year-old Irvine resident, was charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography, one felony count of unauthorized computer access, and one misdemeanor count of willful disobedience of a court order.—
Ryanne Mena,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Others mistakenly describe these acts as flakiness, disobedience, laziness, or personal failure in the absence of context.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Though the Durutti Column had been a disaster, Wilson was fascinated by the guitarist, who admired punk’s willfulness even though his own musical taste tended toward jazz, blues, and the classical tradition.—
Brad Shoup,
Pitchfork,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Government officials scolded young people for the signs of disrespect.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Even a serial murderer can falsely accuse an innocent person of his crime and suffer no consequences, which breeds disrespect for the legal system.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insubordination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubordination. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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