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

He depicted Ulster Protestants as more deeply British than the actual inhabitants of Great Britain, while also practicing open sedition and plotting insurrection.

From Salon

Lai was arrested in 2020 for fraud and involvement in protests and, following delays, is now facing trial for sedition and collusion with foreign forces.

From BBC

A Hong Kong Court has jailed two journalists who led a pro-democracy newspaper after they were found guilty in a landmark sedition case last month.

From BBC

The sentencing comes after a landmark ruling of another case last month, when two journalists who led the pro-democracy newspaper Stand News were found guilty of sedition.

From BBC

Two journalists who led a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong have been found guilty of sedition.

From BBC

Related Words

• insubordination
• insurrection
• mutiny
• treason

More About Sedition

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.

Why is sedition trending?

On January 6, 2021, the word sedition surged in use—and lookups for the word soared 5492% on Dictionary.com—after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building on the day Congress was set to certify the electoral vote count to confirm Joe Biden’s presidential election victory. Journalists, political analysts and observers, and even President-elect Joe Biden himself used the word sedition to characterize the unbelievable events that happened in the nation’s capital.

Let me be very clear: the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not represent who we are. What we are seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness. This is not dissent, it's disorder. It borders on sedition, and it must end. Now.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 6, 2021

Have you heard trump call for congress to follow constitution and certify? The answer is no. And thats the proof of his position here. He is the worst and people will do the worst at his urging. Sedition. Leaders need to step up, put this insurrection down and follow the law. https://t.co/xptUNAKaFY

— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) January 6, 2021

 

The shocking events were described with other strong words such as insurrection, coup (d’état), and (domestic) terrorism. Insurrection involves an actual instance of resisting or rebelling against the government, while sedition is incitement or promotion of such actions. A coup, in this context short for coup d’état, is an illegal or forceful change of government rather than the incitement of a rebellion—hence expressions like an attempted coup or failed coup. Finally, terrorism, more broadly, involves using actual violence or threats especially against civilians for political purposes; domestic terrorism specifically refers to when citizens engage in terrorist acts against their fellow citizens.

Some even likened the events to those you would see in a banana republic, a term (with a problematic history) for an authoritarian country that prioritizes wealthy elites or foreign corporations by exploiting its citizens.

On September 17, 2020, searches for sedition also notably increased 3,851% compared to the previous week after U.S. Attorney General William Barr was reported to have controversially encouraged federal prosecutors to pursue charges of sedition against demonstrators accused of causing violence in ongoing nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd in May 2020.

Breaking News: Attorney General William Barr is said to have suggested sedition charges over violence at protests, as well as possible charges for the Seattle mayor. https://t.co/qLofTr9BQo

— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 17, 2020

Also driving up searches for sedition was Michael Caputo, a top official at the Department of Health and Human Services, who caused his own controversy after accusing career scientists at the Centers for Disease Control of sedition in a Facebook Live video on Sunday, September 13, 2020.

Michael Caputo, the top HHS spokesperson, is taking a leave of absence after a social media tirade in which he falsely accused government scientists of engaging in "sedition."https://t.co/ZgK6Zo0VAu

— NPR (@NPR) September 16, 2020

Where does sedition come from?

The first records of sedition in English come from the late 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Latin sēditiō, meaning “discord,” from sēd-, meaning “apart,” and itiō, meaning “a going.”

The goal of sedition is typically to promote discord between the government and the people in order to start a rebellion that overthrows the government. Obviously, governments don’t like the idea of sedition and sometimes pass laws against it. In the history of the United States, there have been two notable sedition acts passed, and both were repealed. The first came in 1798 as part of the Alien and Sedition Acts, which restricted the political activities of people who sympathized with French revolutionaries, most notably criticism of Congress or the president. The acts were either repealed or allowed to expire in the early 1800s. The Sedition Act of 1918 targeted those who opposed the nation’s entry into World War I. It made it illegal to do things like insult the government or military or protest against the war effort. It was repealed in 1921. Sedition laws such as these are often considered to be in conflict with protections of free speech.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to sedition?

• seditious (adjective)
• seditionist (noun)
• seditionary (adjective, noun)
• antisedition (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with sedition? 

• perdition
• seduce
• select

What are some words that often get used in discussing sedition?

• treason
• revolution
• rebellion
• insurrection

How is sedition used in real life?

The word sedition is typically used in political and legal contexts.

9. The govt should also move towards enacting a right to information law and repealing/amending repressive laws such as the PPPA, the OSA, the Sedition Act and amending Section 233 of the CMA so that these laws are not utilised arbitrarily to stifle all manner of speech.

— CIJ Malaysia (@CIJ_Malaysia) May 3, 2020

Dissent is not sedition and Journalism is not a crime. Release political prisoners and repeal draconian laws like UAPA. #PoliticalPrisonersofIndia pic.twitter.com/f53bc1FDUv

— Sania Mariam (@SaniaMariam) April 26, 2020

if you aren't subverting the GM's plans and immediately planning sedition as soon as you are able, why are you even playing RPGs?

— Bad Tabletop Game Design (@BadTTRPGs) April 27, 2020

Try using sedition

True or False? 

Sedition is the same as treason.