as in rebellion
refusal to obey
was fired for chronic insubordination
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Recent Examples of insubordination
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
The suit alleges she was informed the officer resisted calls to attend remedial training going so far as to tell his fellow officers that Internal Affairs could open up an insubordination case on him.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 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
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
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
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026
The suit alleges she was informed the officer resisted calls to attend remedial training going so far as to tell his fellow officers that Internal Affairs could open up an insubordination case on him.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubordination
Noun
-
The property tax rebellion is part of a broader push on both the right and left to give tax exemptions to seniors, workers who rely on tips, and the bottom 50% of the country to address cost-of-living pressures.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
House Democrats are betting that a future Speaker Hakeem Jeffries wouldn’t struggle with the type of aisle-crossing rebellion that’s often vexed current Speaker Mike Johnson.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Cape Verde’s defiance, and the heroics of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha in particular, will be remembered for some time in Spain.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
France has previously intercepted several vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, which carries Russian oil in defiance of international sanctions.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Marji’s rebelliousness, both admirable and terrifying for those who love her, is her salient characteristic.—
Hillary Chute,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The Catholic Church teaches that all other people are conceived with original sin as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden.—
Bridget Retzloff,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
-
There is zero tolerance for political disobedience.—
Daniel Drake,
The New York Review of Books,
16 May 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
-
Now the removal or disrespect for women.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
-
The idea is a partial and symbolic sharing, and the purpose is to break the link between hard work and disrespect.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insubordination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubordination. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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