adjective
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of, like, or causing sedition
-
inclined to or taking part in sedition
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of seditious
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English sedicious, from Old French seditieux, from Latin sēditiōsus, equivalent to sēditi(ō) sedition + -ōsus -ous
Explanation
Something seditious works against a government. When countries overthrow authoritarian dictators, often the people engage in seditious protests until the dictator has to leave. Seditious, pronounced "si-DI-shes," comes from the Latin seditionem meaning "civil disorder, dissention." A seditious act rebels against a government or authority. In some countries just saying seditious remarks against a government can land you in jail, especially if what you say is likely to get people to rise up against the government. If you plot against the current power structure in any way, you're being seditious.
Vocabulary lists containing seditious
1984
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Seditious Conspiracy Act was adopted following the Civil War to be used against Confederates who continued to rebel against the U.S. government.
From Washington Times • Jul. 4, 2023
Seditious conspiracy calls for up to up to 20 years behind bars, if convicted.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2022
Seditious conspiracy is a Civil War-era charge that carries up to 20 years in prison.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2022
Seditious conspiracy is a rarely applied criminal charge used against those who use violence to hinder the execution of federal law.
From Washington Post • Mar. 19, 2021
The "Seditious Libel" would now be thought a quite moderate Editorial or "Letter from our Correspondent."
From The Trial of Theodore Parker For the "Misdemeanor" of a Speech in Faneuil Hall against Kidnapping, before the Circuit Court of the United States, at Boston, April 3, 1855, with the Defence by Parker, Theodore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
