How to pronounce insubordination
Say it like in-suh-bor-duh-NAY-shun. Insubordination has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce insubordination. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- suh
- bor
- duh
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Insubordination pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- borGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of insubordination
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: in-suh-baw-duh-NAY-shun.
What does insubordination mean?
- The 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.
Where does insubordination come from?
From in- + subordination, on the model of French insubordination.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with insubordination
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of insubordination.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying insubordination
How do you pronounce insubordination?
Say in-suh-bor-duh-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnsəˌbɔrdəˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɪnsəˌbɔːdəˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in insubordination?
Insubordination has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (NAY). Broken into parts: in · suh · bor · duh · NAY · shun.
Is insubordination pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌɪnsəˌbɔːdəˈneɪʃən/ (in-suh-baw-duh-NAY-shun).