Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Characterized by or involving mutiny: Describes actions, behavior, or speech that constitutes, encourages, or is typical of a mutiny—a rebellion against authority, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers.
   • Rebellious; disposed to mutiny: Describes a person or group that is in a state of open defiance or rebellion against constituted authority.

Usage

• The primary use is to describe people (e.g., soldiers, sailors, crew, workers) who are rebelling or are inclined to rebel against those in command.
• It can also describe the actions, thoughts, or speeches that incite or constitute such rebellion.
• The word carries a strong connotation of organized, collective defiance within a structured group like a military unit or ship's crew.

Examples

• Describing people:
  • The mutinous soldiers refused to follow the general's orders.
  • After months with poor rations, the crew grew mutinous.
• Describing actions/speech:
  • The captain feared the mutinous talk spreading among the sailors.
  • They were punished for their mutinous behavior.

Advanced Usage

• "mutinous spirit/streak": A tendency or inclination to rebel against authority.
  • His mutinous streak often got him into trouble with his superiors.
• Figurative use: Can be applied more broadly to any group showing defiant rebellion, not strictly military.
  • The mutinous shareholders voted against the board's proposal.

Variants and Related Words

• Mutiny (n): An open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers.
  • The ship's captain suppressed the mutiny.
• Mutineer (n): A person, especially a soldier or sailor, who rebels or takes part in a mutiny.
  • The mutineers were court-martialed.

Synonyms

• Rebellious: Resisting authority or control.
• Insubordinate: Defiant of authority; disobedient.
• Seditionary: Engaged in or promoting sedition (conduct or speech inciting rebellion against authority).
• Revolutionary: Involving or causing a complete or dramatic change, often through rebellion.

Antonyms

• Obedient: Complying or willing to comply with orders or requests.
• Submissive: Ready to conform to the authority or will of others.
• Loyal: Giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To stir up mutinous feelings: To encourage or incite rebellion.
  • The harsh conditions stirred up mutinous feelings among the troops.
• On the brink of mutiny: Very close to rebelling.
  • The unfair pay cuts left the employees on the brink of mutiny.

Adjective

1. consisting of or characterized by or inciting to mutiny
   • mutinous acts
   • mutinous thoughts
   • a mutinous speech
2. disposed to or in a state of mutiny
   • the men became mutinous and insubordinate