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
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.
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
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 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
He hurried along the fossilized wooden ties with accumulating mutinous anger.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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.
