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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubordination
  1. rebellion
  2. defiance
  3. rebelliousness
  4. disobedience
  5. willfulness
  6. disrespect
Noun
  • Kathleen insists that Lukas was likely incinerated, along with all of the other corpses that piled up in the Down Deep during the rebellion.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • In the film, out September 11, Garfield plays Ploughman, the legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Definition of rebellion
Noun
  • There was also a vivid sense of defiance in her capacity to bare so much, to sing about her fear of relapse to a crowd of thousands.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
  • In his view, that defiance forced the GOP to take extreme measures and go it alone.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 12 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
  • Otero Alcántara, who was serving five years on charges of showing disrespect to national symbols, was set to be released from Guanjay, a maximum-security prison roughly 35 miles southwest of Havana, on July 9.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 15 July 2026
  • In 2022, a court sentenced him to five years in prison for public disorder, contempt and disrespect toward national symbols.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on insubordination

Nglish: Translation of insubordination for Spanish Speakers

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