sedition

[si-dish-uhn]

noun

1. incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government.

   Synonyms: mutiny, insurrection

2. any action, especially in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion.

3. Archaic.,  rebellious disorder.

sedition

/ sɪˈdɪʃən /

noun

1. speech or behaviour directed against the peace of a state

2. an offence that tends to undermine the authority of a state

3. an incitement to public disorder

4. archaic,  revolt

sedition

1. Acts that incite rebellion or civil disorder against an established government.

Other Word Forms

• antisedition adjective
• seditionary noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sedition¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin sēditiōn-, stem of sēditiō “rebellion, strife,” literally “a going apart,” from sēd- se- + itiō “a going” (from it(us) “gone,” past participle of īre “to go” + -iō -ion ); replacing Middle English sedicioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of sedition¹

C14: from Latin sēditiō discord, from sēd- apart + itiō a going, from īre to go

Synonym Study

See treason.

Example Sentences

Benjamin Franklin’s 1773 “Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One” used irony to lampoon British policy, undermining authority while avoiding direct flouting of the era’s harsh sedition laws.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2024 Hong Kong passed a domestic national security law known as Article 23, criminalising crimes such as sedition and treason.

From BBC

The government also filed sedition charges against him, though these were eventually dropped.

From BBC

Indeed, the Enemy Aliens Act is the only component of the sedition acts that hasn’t been repealed or allowed to expire.

From Los Angeles Times

The show sparked intense backlash and accusations of "treason," "sedition" and even "betrayal".

From BBC

Related Words

• insubordination 
• insurrection 
• mutiny 
• treason 

When To Use

What does sedition mean?

Sedition is the act of encouraging rebellion against the government, or an action that promotes such rebellion, such as through speech or writing.What’s the difference between treason and sedition? Treason typically refers to a direct action to overthrow or betray one’s government, whereas sedition usually falls short of direct action and instead involves the promotion of revolutionary or treasonous actions. Legally, sedition is typically considered a less serious offense than treason.Example: His statements amount to nothing less than sedition—he’s actively trying to incite a rebellion against the government.