insubordination

noun

Definition of insubordinationnext
as in rebellion
refusal to obey was fired for chronic insubordination

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insubordination Quarantine orders are met with wholesale insubordination, and the government begins to ratchet its way to full martial law. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 Williamson later ran afoul of the SSPX, which expelled him in 2012 for insubordination. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 Lugo also had filed insubordination charges against him. — Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 25 June 2026 King fired Saulter from the sheriff’s department in May of this year over accusations of insubordination. — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026 Among the grounds listed are fraud, embezzlement, theft, misappropriation of district resources, breach of fiduciary duty, neglect of duties, criminal convictions, violations of law, policy violations, dishonesty, insubordination and failure to perform contractual obligations. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026 Assistant Superintendent Tony Poole is also leaving the district after he was suspended in February for alleged insubordination. — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 4 June 2026 When creating their own version of the character, the developers at IOI sought to emphasize that insubordination as a gameplay tool, grounding it in this Bond’s age-specific propensities. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026 The supervisor wanted to impose a three-day suspension for insubordination. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubordination
  1. rebellion
  2. defiance
  3. rebelliousness
  4. disobedience
  5. willfulness
  6. disrespect
Noun
  • In April 2012, a coalition of Tuareg rebel groups under the Coordination of Azawad Movements declared independence and sparked a rebellion alongside Islamic militants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • Many employers double down on rigid return-to-office rules, surveillance and gimmicks, even as workers fight back with coffee badging, ghost bookings and other quiet rebellions.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of rebellion
Noun
  • The protests mark a rare show of defiance against the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
    — Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 20 July 2026
  • But that successful act of cheating is central to Maradona’s legend, as is his defiance in the aftermath.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
Definition of defiance
Noun
  • Whether writing five decades ago or today, the genre’s most insightful commentators have always observed how punk fuses rebelliousness with commodification, capitalism with resistance.
    — Kyle Devine, Longreads, 14 July 2026
  • Marji’s rebelliousness, both admirable and terrifying for those who love her, is her salient characteristic.
    — Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Definition of rebelliousness
Noun
  • But many Catholics, including conservative and traditional ones, are opposed to the consecrations, viewing them as an act of severe disobedience to the pope that hurts the church.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • But many Catholics not in Econe, including conservative and traditional ones, opposed the consecrations as an act of severe disobedience that hurts the church.
    — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of disobedience
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
Definition of willfulness
Noun
  • In the millions upon millions of words written and said about this World Cup, who has shown disrespect to players from Haiti, or any other smaller nation?
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • Absent communication often leads to assumptions of indifference or disrespect, eroding trust and fostering hostility.
    — Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of disrespect

Browse Nearby Words

insubordinates
insubordination
insubstantial
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Cite this Entry

“Insubordination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubordination. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of insubordination for Spanish Speakers

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