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Synonyms

mutinous

American  
[myoot-n-uhs] / ˈmyut n əs /

adjective

  1. disposed to, engaged in, or involving revolt against authority.

    Synonyms:
    insurgent, revolutionary, insurrectionary, seditious
    Antonyms:
    patriotic
  2. characterized by mutiny; rebellious.

    Synonyms:
    uncontrollable, unruly, fractious, obstreperous, insubordinate, refractory
    Antonyms:
    obedient
  3. difficult to control.

    mutinous feelings.


mutinous British  
/ ˈmjuːtɪnəs /

adjective

  1. openly rebellious or disobedient

    a mutinous child

  2. characteristic or indicative of mutiny

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of mutinous

First recorded in 1570–80; obsolete mutine “mutiny” (from Middle French mutin; see mutineer) + -ous

Explanation

A mutiny is a revolt, when the led no longer obey the leader. To be mutinous is to behave this way, like when the entire class rises up against a substitute teacher. Mutinous behavior is largely associated with the behavior of unhappy crews at sea. A mutinous crew can really mess up a ship captain's day, but then again serve as a fantastic source of material for books and movies. There's something inspiring about mutinous behavior — it shows a certain defiant independent spirit that is admirable, unless of course you're the leader being mutinied against.

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Vocabulary lists containing mutinous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mutinous soldiers detained Bazoum and seized power on July 26, claiming they could do a better job at protecting the nation from jihadi violence.

From Washington Times • Aug. 9, 2023

Mutinous soldiers deposed Guinea’s president in September 2021, and Burkina Faso’s leader was ousted in a January coup.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2022

Mutinous security forces supporting him had released the country’s most famed political prisoner.

From New York Times • Apr. 30, 2019

He said his job included trying to create viral memes on a Facebook page called Mutinous Media, which did not list a Sputnik connection.

From Reuters • Dec. 20, 2016

One of these was the Mutinous, formerly the Peace, commanded by Captain Michael Landresson, and carried fifty guns.

From The Monarchs of the Main, Volume III (of 3) Or, Adventures of the Buccaneers by Thornbury, Walter