insubordinate

/ˌɪnsəˈbɔːdɪnət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnsəˈbɔːrdɪnət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin(t)-sə-ˈbȯr-də-nət -ˈbȯrd-nət/ (ame, mw)

insubordinate — adjective

  • insubordinatepositive
  • more insubordinatecomparative
  • most insubordinatesuperlative

1. refusing to follow the orders of a teacher, boss, officer, or other superior, or

1.形容詞C1
釋義

refusing to follow the orders of a teacher, boss, officer, or other superior, or speaking and acting in a way that openly challenges that authority.

例句

Captain Ruiz called Tunde insubordinate for ignoring the radio order.

call + object + insubordinate

The head chef fired Beatriz after her insubordinate reply in the kitchen.

insubordinate reply in a workplace conflict

同義詞
  • disobedient

    more everyday and often used for children or pets, not mainly workplace discipline

  • defiant

    stronger and more openly challenging in attitude

  • rebellious

    broader and often suggests a continuing pattern of resistance

反義詞
  • obedient

    willing to follow orders from a person in authority

  • compliant

    more formal and often used for following rules or procedures

文法句型

call / label + object + insubordinate

be insubordinate toward + superior

用法筆記

Most common in schools, workplaces, and the military. It usually describes a person's attitude, reply, or behavior toward someone above them, not a product or rule that merely fails to meet a standard.

常見錯誤

❌The website is insubordinate because it breaks privacy rules.
✅The employee was insubordinate when he ignored the supervisor's warning.
💡this word is about resisting authority, not about failing a technical standard.