noun
insubordination
noun
1
Deliberate refusal to obey someone in authority, especially a supervisor or officer.
"He was fired for insubordination after ignoring direct orders."
How to Use Insubordination
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of defying or disobeying an authority figure.
When to use it
Common in formal workplace and military contexts.
Common pairings
charged with insubordination
act of insubordination
Word Forms
insubordinations plural
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He was fired for _____ after ignoring direct orders.
Etymology
From in- ("not") + subordination, modeled on French insubordination.