mutinous
Americanadjective
-
disposed to, engaged in, or involving revolt against authority.
- Synonyms:
- insurgent, revolutionary, insurrectionary, seditious
- Antonyms:
- patriotic
-
characterized by mutiny; rebellious.
- Synonyms:
- uncontrollable, unruly, fractious, obstreperous, insubordinate, refractory
- Antonyms:
- obedient
-
difficult to control.
mutinous feelings.
adjective
-
openly rebellious or disobedient
a mutinous child
-
characteristic or indicative of mutiny
Other Word Forms
Derived 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.
Vocabulary lists containing mutinous
Grade 10, List 3
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"Of Plymouth Plantation," Vocabulary from the historical account
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The Odyssey
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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.
The Pitcairn Islands were colonised in 1790 by the mutinous crew of the Royal Navy ship HMS Bounty, led by the master's mate Fletcher Christian.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
Carrick will start with unqualified backing from the stands – although through the last 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, United fans have never become mutinous against the man in the dug-out.
From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026
Rajoelina went into hiding just before he was ousted on October 14 in a coup led by the commander of a mutinous army unit, Michael Randrianirina, who was sworn in as president on October 17.
From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025
But relations have frayed between Niger and Western countries since mutinous soldiers ousted the country’s democratically elected president in July.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2024
In his ship’s log, Elisha grumbled about his crew’s disloyalty, but took the mutinous men back onboard.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
