Insubordination Meaning

/ˌɪnsəˌbɔrdəˈneɪʃən/
C2

Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Listen pronunciation

nounThe quality or state of being insubordinate; disobedience to lawful authority; specifically, an employee's failure or refusal to comply with a request or an assignment given by his/her supervisor.

I don't tolerate insubordination.
I do not tolerate insubordination.
The employee was fired for active insubordination against the manager.
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager fired the employee for repeated ____ during team meetings.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The manager warned that any further acts of ____ would lead to immediate dismissal from the firm.

From in- + subordination, on the model of French insubordination.

"Green, who served as a technical manager in the network's Washington bureau, charged in her suit that she was subject to "repeated acts of insubordination by white male engineers and technicians, with the effect of the erosion and undermining of [her] ability to carry out her duties as supervisor."" — 1987 February 1, Jennie McKnight, quoting Dorothy Green or her legal representative, “Black Lesbian Settles w/ABC”, in Gay Community News, volume 14, number 28, page 3:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager fired the employee for repeated ____ during team meetings.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The manager warned that any further acts of ____ would lead to immediate dismissal from the firm.

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