treasonable

[ tree-zuh-nuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. of the nature of treason.
2. involving treason; traitorous.

Other Words From

• treason·a·bly adverb
• non·treason·a·ble adjective
• non·treason·a·ble·ness noun
• non·treason·a·bly adverb
• un·treason·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of treasonable¹

First recorded in 1325–75, treasonable is from the Middle English word tresonabill. See treason, able

Example Sentences

Amid this crackdown, army chief Christopher Musa warned that it is a "treasonable offence" to fly the flags of foreign countries.

From BBC

Afterwards, army chief Christopher Musa said: "We are warning in clear terms that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria. That is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such."

From BBC

In Ex parte Bollman, Marshall asserted: “If a body of men be actually assembled for the purpose of effecting by force a treasonable purpose”—which, as Marshall understood it, included insurrection— “all of those who perform any part, however minute or remote from the scene of action, and who are actually leagued in the general conspiracy, are to be considered as traitors.”

From Slate

Abstract discussion not aimed at instigating action did not provide grounds for prosecution, but words intended to inspire forcible resistance to law were treasonable.

From Slate

“To me, those acts are treasonable,” Solensten said of the Bidens.

From Seattle Times