treason

[ tree-zuhn ]

noun

1. the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
2. a violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or to one's state.
3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.

treason

/ ˈtriːzən /

noun

1. violation or betrayal of the allegiance that a person owes his sovereign or his country, esp by attempting to overthrow the government; high treason
2. any treachery or betrayal

Derived Forms

• ˈtreasonableness, noun
• ˈtreasonable, adjective
• ˈtreasonably, adverb

Other Words From

• super·treason noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of treason¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English tre(i)so(u)n, from Anglo-French; Old French traïson, from Latin trāditiōn-, stem of trāditiō “delivery, transfer, betrayal”; tradition

Word History and Origins

Origin of treason¹

C13: from Old French traïson , from Latin trāditiō a handing over; see tradition , traditor

Synonym Study

Treason, sedition mean disloyalty or treachery to one's country or its government. Treason is any attempt to overthrow the government or impair the well-being of a state to which one owes allegiance; the crime of giving aid or comfort to the enemies of one's government. Sedition is any act, writing, speech, etc., directed unlawfully against state authority, the government, or constitution, or calculated to bring it into contempt or to incite others to hostility, ill will or disaffection; it does not amount to treason and therefore is not a capital offense. See disloyalty.

Example Sentences

While most were captured and hung for treason, today in Mexico you can find memorials to the Irish, considered heroes of the war.

From Washington Post

He noted on Twitter that the Georgia state Constitution dictates that legislators “shall be free from arrest during sessions of the General Assembly” except for treason, felony or breach of the peace.

From Washington Post

She has spoken publicly on video, for example, about the possibility of Democrats including Pelosi being executed for treason.

From Washington Post

Chase has dismissed the criticism, saying Virginia Democrats had “committed treason” by loosening restrictions on voting last year.

From Washington Post

A month later, an article accusing him of treason appeared on a popular national news site with close ties to Morocco’s royal rulers.

From MIT Technology Review

So does his comment about treason, which plugs into the mentality of those accusing the President of sedition and disloyalty.

From The Daily Beast

Though his earlier conversion to Christianity had been made public, his treason sent shock waves.

From The Daily Beast

I also informed him that now, since the fast and furious scandal, that continuing the war on drugs is treason.

From The Daily Beast

When he conquered the horse he used the noble beast to draw and quarter those he suspected of treason.

From The Daily Beast

After the trial resumed in January, Mandela was convicted of high treason and sentenced to life.

From The Daily Beast

In the reign of some of the English kings the demolition of such houses would not have been adjudged treason.

From Project Gutenberg

In successive letters he reiterates the caution to beware of surprise and treason, and his anxiety for constant news.

From Project Gutenberg

On him, it is said, the King turned with vehement indignation, charging him even with treason and double-dealing.

From Project Gutenberg

Whoever infringed these rules incurred the penalties of high treason.

From Project Gutenberg

There was the exciting subject of 'danger to the Church' from Rome, or from Presbyterianism, or from treason within.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crime
• mutiny
• sedition
• subversion
• treachery