mutiny 1 of 2

Definition of mutinynext

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
  • Proposition 13 galvanized a nationwide tax revolt and enshrined the modern system of property taxes.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
  • The day shift also starts making factory-work jokes, with Rekha playing a perky do-bee who just wants to make the boss happy, and Lily adopting an agitator role, demanding workman’s comp and trying to spark revolt.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • That suggested fans were rebelling against high prices for tickets, or transportation.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
  • Male guardians of this ideological camp circulated defamatory letters from prison, denouncing me for unveiling and rebelling against mandatory veiling.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
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
Noun
  • Then, as things started to change politically in England, there was the beginning of that feeling of an uprising by the serfs against the aristocracy and the landowners, and this cultural hero rocking the boat and stealing from the rich to give to the poor started to be birthed.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
  • There was also a growing belief among prison officials, around the time of the Attica prison uprising, that being more responsive to prisoners' concerns would reduce the likelihood of violence or rioting.
    Christie Thompson, NPR, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • The property tax rebellion is part of a broader push on both the right and left to give tax exemptions to seniors, workers who rely on tips, and the bottom 50% of the country to address cost-of-living pressures.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
  • House Democrats are betting that a future Speaker Hakeem Jeffries wouldn’t struggle with the type of aisle-crossing rebellion that’s often vexed current Speaker Mike Johnson.
    Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 June 2026

Cite this Entry

“Mutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutiny. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

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