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Mutineer: meaning, definitions and examples

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mutineer

 

[ ˌmjuːtɪˈnɪr ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

rebellious sailor

A mutineer is an individual who participates in a rebellion against the authority of a captain or other leader, especially on a ship or in a military unit. This act of revolt is often motivated by dissatisfaction with leadership, conditions, or treatment. Mutineers may attempt to overthrow their leaders, taking control of a vessel or unit in a dramatic and aggressive manner. Historically, mutinies have played significant roles in naval history and can lead to severe consequences for those involved, including punishment or execution.

Synonyms

insurgent, rebel, revolutionary, traitor

Examples of usage

  • The mutineers seized control of the ship.
  • After weeks of hardship, the sailors became mutineers.
  • The crew's discontent turned them into mutineers.
  • The captain faced the mutineers in a tense standoff.

Translations

Translations of the word "mutineer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mutineiro

🇮🇳 विद्रोही

🇩🇪 Meuterer

🇮🇩 pemberontak

🇺🇦 мутинець

🇵🇱 mutyni

🇯🇵 反乱者

🇫🇷 mutin

🇪🇸 motinero

🇹🇷 isyançı

🇰🇷 반란자

🇸🇦 متمرد

🇨🇿 vzbouřenec

🇸🇰 vzbúrenec

🇨🇳 叛乱者

🇸🇮 upornik

🇮🇸 uppreisnarmaður

🇰🇿 бұқар

🇬🇪 მუტინერი

🇦🇿 ütəkan

🇲🇽 motinero

Etymology

The word 'mutineer' originates from the early 17th century, derived from the French term 'mutin', which means 'rebellious' and is a form of 'mutiner', to mutiny. The root can be traced back further to the Latin word 'mutinari', meaning 'to change, to alter'. In maritime contexts, mutinies have been documented for centuries, often arising in times of war or hardship when sailors felt oppressed or poorly treated. Famous mutinies, such as the mutiny on the HMS Bounty in 1789, have shaped public perceptions of mutineers as both heroic figures standing against tyranny and villains disrupting order. Over time, the term has broadened in scope, applying to any individual who rebels against established authority in various contexts, including military and political arenas.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,181, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.