sedition

noun

se·​di·​tion si-ˈdi-shən 

: incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority

Examples of sedition in a Sentence

The leaders of the group have been arrested and charged with sedition.

Recent Examples on the Web

The colonial-era sedition law was repeatedly used in national security cases. —Doug Bandow, National Review, 10 Feb. 2024

By Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware / Made by History February 5, 2024 9:00 AM EST For over a decade, an ever-growing array of zealots advocating violence and sedition have been given practically free rein on social media platforms. —TIME, 5 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sedicioun, from Anglo-French sediciun, from Latin sedition-, seditio, literally, separation, from sed-, se- apart + ition-, itio act of going, from ire to go — more at secede, issue entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sedition

noun

se·​di·​tion si-ˈdish-ən 

: the stirring up of feelings against lawful authority

Legal Definition

sedition

noun

se·​di·​tion si-ˈdi-shən 

: the crime of creating a revolt, disturbance, or violence against lawful civil authority with the intent to cause its overthrow or destruction compare criminal syndicalism, sabotage

seditious

-shəs 

adjective

seditiously adverb

Etymology

Latin seditio, literally, separation, from sed apart + itio act of going, from ire to go