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.

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mutinous British  

/ ˈmjuːtɪnəs /

adjective

1. openly rebellious or disobedient

   a mutinous child

2. characteristic or indicative of mutiny

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Other Word Forms

• mutinously adverb
• mutinousness noun
• nonmutinous adjective
• nonmutinousness noun
• unmutinous adjective
• unmutinousness noun

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.

Example Sentences

Sunday's presidential election comes about four months after outgoing President Patrice Talon survived a coup attempt, when Nigeria - the regional superpower - sent warplanes to bombard mutinous soldiers who had attempted to overthrow him.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 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

The protests reached a pivotal point at the weekend when mutinous soldiers and security forces joined the demonstrators and called for the president and other government ministers to step down.

From Barron's • Oct. 14, 2025

But the United States suspended its military cooperation with Niger’s military last summer, when mutinous soldiers seized power in the country.

From New York Times • Apr. 13, 2024

Many units of the French army were mutinous.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck