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

He said former Republican Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney could be charged with treason, and that critics of the Supreme Court “should be put in jail.”

From Los Angeles Times

She said such behaviour was "contrary and egregious" to the the purpose of COP and "a treason" to the process.

From BBC

Kenyan authorities said the four, who were recognised by the UN as refugees, were deported at the request of the Turkish government, which wants them on treason charges.

From BBC

“Certifying uncertifiable elections in a federal election can reach the level of treason,” Plumb and supporters read from the letter.

From Los Angeles Times

Reuters reported, citing Information Minister Mohammed Idris, that the treason charges against the children had been dropped.

From BBC

Related Words

• crime
• mutiny
• sedition
• subversion
• treachery