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.

Derived Forms

• seˈditionary, nounadjective

Other Words From

• anti·se·dition adjective

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

Online volunteers known as “sedition hunters,” who use online videos and pictures to hunt for rioters, identified the brand of the hat and nicknamed Mr Williams “RiotingGolfer”.

From BBC

The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is the last of the notorious Alien and Sedition Acts to remain on the books, and it is suddenly in the headlines.

From Slate

She started researching the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, the sole operative part of the notorious Alien and Sedition Acts.

From Slate

The law is the only survivor of the Alien and Sedition Acts.

From Los Angeles Times

Congress passed the law as part of the Alien and Sedition Acts — four laws that tightened restrictions on foreign-born Americans and limited criticism of the government, when the country was on the brink of war with France.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• insubordination
• insurrection
• mutiny
• treason