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insubordination

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅sub⋅or⋅di⋅nate

[in-suh-bawr-dn-it]
–adjective
1. not submitting to authority; disobedient: an insubordinate soldier.
2. not lower.
–noun
3. a person who is insubordinate.

Origin:
1840–50; in- 3 + subordinate


in⋅sub⋅or⋅di⋅nate⋅ly, adverb
in⋅sub⋅or⋅di⋅na⋅tion, noun


1. refractory, defiant, insolent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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in·sub·or·di·nate   (ĭn'sə-bôr'dn-ĭt)   
adj.  Not submissive to authority: has a history of insubordinate behavior.
in'sub·or'di·nate n., in'sub·or'di·nate·ly adv., in'sub·or'di·na'tion n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean in opposition to and usually in defiance of established authority. Insubordinate implies failure or refusal to recognize or submit to the authority of a superior: was fired for being insubordinate.
Rebellious implies open defiance of authority or resistance to control: rebellious students demonstrating on campus.
Mutinous pertains to revolt against constituted authority, especially that of a naval or military command: mutinous sailors defying the captain.
Factious implies divisiveness, dissension, or disunity within a group or an organization: "The army has been embroiled in a standoff battle against a [hornets'] nest of factious groups" (Time).
Seditious applies mainly to the treasonous stirring up of resistance against a government: rebels distributing seditious pamphlets.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

insubordinate  (adj.)
1849, on model of Fr. insubordonné (1781), from in- "not" + subordinate (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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