adj.
Not submissive to authority: has a history of insubordinate behavior.
insubordinate in'sub·or'di·nate n.
insubordinately in'sub·or'di·nate·ly adv.
insubordination in'sub·or'di·na'tion n.
SYNONYMS insubordinate, rebellious, mutinous, factious, seditious. 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.
