insubordinate
Refusing lawful orders
Insubordinate describes someone who refuses to submit to authority or follow orders: The insubordinate soldier was demoted.
The word implies willful defiance rather than mere incompetence—an insubordinate employee knows what's expected and deliberately refuses.
As a noun, an insubordinate is a person who behaves this way.
Refusing to follow orders
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- noncompliantFailing to conform
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
unruly · obstinate · insolent · contumacious · mutinous · refractory · willful · contrary
One who directs workers
- commanderPerson with authority over others
- superiorHigher in rank
- bossWorkplace superior
- officerAuthority figure in uniform
captain · sergeant · lieutenant · foreman · overseer · chain of command · hierarchy · rank
Sailor who revolts
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
- insurgentOne who revolts
- renegadeDeserter of a cause
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
nonconformist · agitator · troublemaker · malcontent · provocateur · rabble-rouser · instigator · revolutionary
disobedient
Refusing to follow orders
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- noncompliantFailing to conform
recalcitrant · unruly · obstinate · insolent · contumacious · mutinous · refractory · willful · contrary · intractable
supervisor
One who directs workers
officer · captain · sergeant · lieutenant · foreman · overseer · chain of command · hierarchy · rank · orders
mutineer
Sailor who revolts
maverick · nonconformist · agitator · troublemaker · malcontent · provocateur · rabble-rouser · instigator · revolutionary · radical
misconduct
Improper professional behavior
- terminationAct of ending something
- firedTerminated from employment
- written upOfficially reported for violation
HR · violation · policy · refusal · backtalk · attitude · defiance · grievance · union · walkout
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- shamelessshameless, brazen, unabashed, barefaced, unapologetic
insubordinateobedient
Following commands willingly
compliant · subordinate · dutiful · submissive · docile
insubordinatedeferential
Showing humble submission
respectful · subservient · acquiescent · obsequious · servile
insubordinatetractable
Easily managed or controlled
manageable · governable · amenable · cooperative · compliant