The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 15 letter word INSUBORDINATION
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "defiance of authority" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case defiance of authority = insubordination.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does INSUBORDINATION mean?
INSUBORDINATION noun- 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.