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in·sub·or·di·nate

(ĭn′sə-bôrdn-ĭt)

adj.

Not submissive to authority: has a history of insubordinate behavior.

in′sub·ordi·nate n.

in′sub·ordi·nate·ly adv.

in′sub·or′di·nation n.

Synonyms: insubordinate, rebellious, mutinous, factious, seditious
These adjectives mean engaged in or promoting the defiance of established authority. Insubordinate implies failure or refusal to 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 unruly dissension within a group or 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.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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