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

The in-fighting and mutiny across ownership, staff, players and fans after a miserable campaign. —

Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 May 2026 There were some other problems early on as well, but what a difference a mutiny makes. —

Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026

Verb

Starmer’s premiership is on a knife-edge this week as a significant number of Labour Party MPs have openly mutinied, calling for the PM to resign immediately, or to set out a timetable for his departure. —

Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 May 2026 The 16th-century adventurer, who first circumnavigated the globe by sea in 1522, wavers beneath the pressure of his pursuit, ultimately leading his men to mutiny and madness on the Malay Archipelago. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 18 Nov. 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

The pair took a big swing in 2022 around the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection on January 6.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
The violence, described as a failed insurrection by President Cyril Ramaphosa, vandalized more than 160 shopping malls, led to tens of thousands of job losses, and cost the economy roughly $3 billion.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of insurrection

Noun

Amid a rebellion over the SAVE Act, Johnson lost control of the House floor for a second time this week, sending lawmakers home early for the July Fourth recess.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
These battles have completely receded from the American imagination, even though, in some ways, the American rebellion was a sideshow to a far greater imperial drama.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026