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

He was charged with sedition and sent to a federal prison in North Dakota. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026

The Crown put newspaper publishers on trial for sedition. — Danielle Allen, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

After Thomas Hickey was hanged that year for mutiny, sedition and treachery, Washington warned that his fate should serve as a caution to all soldiers. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026

From 1951 to 1955, Faiz was imprisoned on allegations of sedition against the Pakistani state. — Krupa Shandilya, The Conversation, 25 June 2026

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

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sedition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

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