MUTINY Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'mutiny' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mutiny are insurrection , rebellion , revolt , revolution , and uprising . While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority. // a mutiny led by the ship's cook

Q: When could 'rebellion' be used to replace 'mutiny'?

The synonyms rebellion and mutiny are sometimes interchangeable, but rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful. // open rebellion against the officers

Q: How do 'revolt' and 'insurrection' relate to one another, in the sense of 'mutiny'?

Both revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds. // a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders // an insurrection of oppressed laborers

Q: When is it sensible to use 'revolution' instead of 'mutiny'?

While the synonyms revolution and mutiny are close in meaning, revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government). // a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

Q: When can 'uprising' be used instead of 'mutiny'?

Although the words uprising and mutiny have much in common, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion. // quickly put down the uprising

mutiny 1 of 2

noun

ˈmyü-tə-nē

Definition of mutiny next

as in revolt

open fighting against authority (as one's own government) a mutiny led by the ship's cook

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mutiny

2 of 2

verb

as in to rebel

to rise up against established authority the party's conservative faction mutinied just before the election

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mutiny differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mutiny are insurrection, rebellion, revolt, revolution, and uprising. While all these words mean "an outbreak against authority," mutiny applies to group insubordination or insurrection especially against naval authority.

a mutiny led by the ship's cook

When could rebellion be used to replace mutiny?

The synonyms rebellion and mutiny are sometimes interchangeable, but rebellion implies an open formidable resistance that is often unsuccessful.

open rebellion against the officers

How do revolt and insurrection relate to one another, in the sense of mutiny?

Both revolt and insurrection imply an armed uprising that quickly fails or succeeds.

a revolt by the Young Turks that surprised party leaders

an insurrection of oppressed laborers

When is it sensible to use revolution instead of mutiny?

While the synonyms revolution and mutiny are close in meaning, revolution applies to a successful rebellion resulting in a major change (as in government).

a political revolution that toppled the monarchy

When can uprising be used instead of mutiny?

Although the words uprising and mutiny have much in common, uprising implies a brief, limited, and often immediately ineffective rebellion.

quickly put down the uprising

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mutiny

Noun

Full political violence insurance can cover property damage and business interruption tied to terrorism, sabotage, riots, strikes, civil commotion, insurrection, rebellion, mutiny, coup and war. —

Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 19 May 2026 Streeting is the first member of Starmer’s cabinet to resign since the mutiny began. —

Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

Verb

In 1841, John Quincy Adams stood before the Supreme Court and defended a group of enslaved captives who mutinied aboard the Spanish slave ship Amistad. —

Time, 24 Sep. 2025 In 1913, Swiss Guards mutinied for a week in response but eventually received military training as Repond wanted, Alvarez wrote in The Pope's Soldiers: A Military History of the Modern Vatican. —

Michael Loria, USA Today, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mutiny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutiny

Noun

The Declaration of Independence, often perceived as a tax revolt, explicitly mentions taxes only once among its 27 grievances, dedicating just eight words to the issue.

— Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Soon, this kind of spirit will carry the 13 colonies to protest, revolt and win the American Revolution.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 June 2026

Definition of revolt

Noun

Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi led the insurrection after weeks of widespread national protests.

— USA Today, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Penn, known for his strong political convictions, previously attended a public hearing of the House select committee investigating the deadly 2021 insurrection.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 June 2026

Definition of insurrection

Noun

The Battle of the Alamo was one of the most monumental conflicts of the Texas Revolution, a rebellion that ended in Texas becoming independent from Mexico and establishing itself as a republic for nearly a decade before US statehood.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
In the press release for the album, you were quoted using the word rebellion when talking about rock and roll.

— Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026