treason

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noun trea·son \ ˈtrē-zᵊn \

Definition of treason

1 :the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or the sovereign's family

2 :the betrayal of a trust :treachery

See treason defined for English-language learners

See treason defined for kids

Examples of treason in a Sentence

He is guilty of treason.
reading a friend's diary without permission would have to be regarded as the ultimate act of personal treason

Recent Examples of treason from the Web

While Taylor's vindictive lyrics are subject to interpretation, they are remarkably well-suited to the characters of Shondaland, who've been made to do plenty of things — treason, murder, adultery, perjury, more murder.

— eliza thompson, Cosmopolitan, "Taylor Swift's New Song Already Has a Starring Role in the New #TGIT Promo," 25 Aug. 2017
But while its surviving leadership was put on trial before the world, not one author of the Confederacy was convicted of treason.

— crystal marie fleming, The Root, "To Be Clear, White Supremacy Is the Foundation of Our Country. It Won’t Be Destroyed by Toppling Statues," 19 Aug. 2017
He was arrested for treason, and when his father, Rickard, went to his son’s aid, Aerys cruelly murdered them both.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Game of Thrones: This Gruesome Callback May Have Just Sealed Cersei’s Fate," 30 July 2017
This puts Howard County government (and by inference, all the rest of us) in the position of endorsing treason, slavery and white supremacy.

— Howard County Times, "Confederate monument sends the wrong message [Letter]," 19 July 2017
In terms of the severity of this criminal act, there really is no equivalent except for treason or terrorism with a nuclear weapon.

— shira karsen, Billboard, "Video of Saudi Woman in Miniskirt Is Causing Major Cultural Backlash: Report," 18 July 2017
But there is a long way to go before any responsible person starts making incendiary claims about treason.

— david harsanyi, National Review, "Trump Jr.’s Meeting Might Not Rise to Treason," 14 July 2017
Richard Painter, who served as White House ethics chief under George W Bush, wrote that such behavior could amount to treason.

— abigail tracy, The Hive, "Trump Officially Adopts the “Everybody Would Do That” Defense," 13 July 2017
As the only crime defined in the Constitution, treason is a serious offense.

— tessa berenson, Time, "Was Donald Trump Jr.'s Russia Meeting Illegal? Here's What Experts Say," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'treason.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of treason

Middle English tresoun, from Anglo-French traisun, from Latin tradition-, traditio act of handing over, from tradere to hand over, betray — more at traitor

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First Known Use: 13th century

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treason Synonyms

TREASON Defined for English Language Learners

treason

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noun

Definition of treason for English Language Learners

: the crime of trying to overthrow your country's government or of helping your country's enemies during war

TREASON Defined for Kids

treason

play

noun trea·son \ ˈtrē-zᵊn \

Definition of treason for Students

:the crime of trying or helping to overthrow the government of the criminal's own country or cause its defeat in war

Law Dictionary

treason

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noun trea·son \ ˈtrēz-ᵊn \

legal Definition of treason

:the offense of attempting to overthrow the government of one's country or of assisting its enemies in war; specifically :the act of levying war against the United States or adhering to or giving aid and comfort to its enemies by one who owes it allegiance

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treasonous

play \-əs\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of treason

Anglo-French treison crime of violence against a person to whom allegiance is owed, literally, betrayal, from Old French traïson, from traïr to betray, from Latin tradere to hand over, surrender