treason

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

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing treason Learn More About treason

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 on the Web White supremacy almost destroyed the nation during antebellum slavery, triggered secession, treason and a catastrophic Civil War where over 600,000 Americans perished. — Peniel E. Joseph, CNN, 16 May 2022 Ukrainian prosecutors have brought hundreds of cases against Ukrainians in Donbas for treason and sedition. — New York Times, 16 Jan. 2022 In June, police arrested seven potential challengers to Ortega on charges that essentially amount to treason. — The Associated. Press, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2021 He was convicted of mutiny, treason and corruption. — Dasl Yoon, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2021 Morales still faces charges of treason and sedition lodged by prosecutors under the conservative interim government, which accused him of stirring violent protests and spent much of the past 12 months attempting to reverse his policies. — Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2020 The Senate has expelled 15 members since 1789 — one for treason and 14 for supporting the Confederacy during the Civil War. — Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Apr. 2022 Croft, a trucker from Bear, Del., vented on social media about hanging governors for treason, and he was repeatedly recorded talking about violence and explosives. — Arkansas Online, 2 Apr. 2022 Croft, a trucker from Bear, Delaware, vented on social media about hanging governors for treason, and he was repeatedly recorded talking about violence and explosives. — John Flesher And Ed White, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2022 See More

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.

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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near treason

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treason

treasonable

Statistics for treason

Last Updated

19 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Treason.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treason. Accessed 24 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for treason

treason

noun

trea·son | \ ˈtrē-zᵊn

Kids Definition of treason

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

treason

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