as in rebellion
refusal to obey
was fired for chronic insubordination
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Recent Examples of insubordination
According to Sato’s lawsuit, the chief initiated a complaint against her for insubordination, and she was disciplined with a reprimand.
—
Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
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
Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubordination
Noun
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Through the personal stories of activists and intense courtroom battles, host Brendan Patrick Hughes explores themes of faith, rebellion, and the complexities of confronting injustice, ultimately offering a compelling blueprint for modern activism.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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Focus Features has set a Sept 11 release for the Paul Greengrass directed, Andrew Garfield starring The Uprising, which follows the untold true story of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was elegant defiance this week as Pat Riley in an opening statement answered the question before it could be asked at his annual season-ending media session.—
Greg Cote
April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 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
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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
-
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
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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
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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
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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
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Mostly the defensive tackles are Sieler, the 30-year old veteran who is coming off a disappointing season, Phillips, Grant, the disappointing 2025 first-round pick, and a collection of lower-round picks or non-difference makers, and that’s no disrespect to Zeek Biggers or Matthew Butler.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
No disrespect to the San Diego High School baseball team that plays only several blocks from Petco Park, but if Stammen had enlisted several Cavers fielders to fill out the defense behind Miller, the results may have been very close to the same.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insubordination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubordination. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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