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

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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

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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

But when her latest husband, discord spirit Raksh, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina must clean up his blunder, contend with Marjana’s demands for the truth…and figure out who on her crew is plotting a mutiny. —

Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026 Since 2020, Guinea-Bissau had suffered one bona fide coup attempt, in February 2022, in addition to a mutiny in late 2022 that Embaló condemned as a coup attempt. —

John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025

Verb

In June 2023, the group mutinied and marched on Moscow before then leader Yevgeny Prigozhin negotiated a deal with the Kremlin. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, any question that Jod and Captain Silvo (the pirate whose crew mutinied in the series premiere) are one and the same was dismissed, when Brutus and his crew spoke of how Silvo had escaped the brig before facing a trial. —

Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 10 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for mutiny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutiny

Noun

Continue reading … THINK AGAIN — New 'microgeneration' of students revolts against 'cringy' campus wokeness.

— , FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Outlets including the Wrap and Hollywood Reporter have reported that top agents including Duffy McSwiggin and Marty Diamond, who represent Joni Mitchell and Coldplay, among others, have led a staff revolt demanding Wasserman leave or sell the firm.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of revolt

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“Mutiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutiny. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 15 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

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