as in rebellion
refusal to obey
was fired for chronic insubordination
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Recent Examples of insubordination
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
Chief deputy James Saulter was terminated for insubordination after failing to show up for an internal affairs interview, King wrote in a letter obtained by the Star-Telegram.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 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
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
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
Chief deputy James Saulter was terminated for insubordination after failing to show up for an internal affairs interview, King wrote in a letter obtained by the Star-Telegram.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubordination
Noun
-
Coupled with the music, the bites have a sense of rebellion, but this isn’t outright middle finger food.—
Colin Wrenn,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
-
As Season 2 unfolds, the two young couples will be tested and separated once again by forces beyond their control, as every clan chooses a side in the rebellion.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
From Stonewall’s 1969 uprising to today’s golf tournaments, human rights summits and bar crawls, Pride events in Los Angeles, New York and global cities mix festival energy with defiance.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
Tensions escalated when Tigray held regional elections in defiance of thata federal delay, leading to a political standoff that erupted into a civil war in November 2020.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 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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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
-
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
-
Historical novelists are often charged with disrespect and unseriousness, of ransacking the archives for sensational scenery to hang behind their conventional family sagas and love stories.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insubordination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubordination. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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