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

All were members of militant groups the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers who were charged with sedition. —Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025

Tarrio was serving a 22-year sentence after being convicted of sedition related to the attack while Rhodes was hit with an 18-year sentence on similar charges. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025

For speaking out against the violence of Mr. Duterte’s drug war, Father Villanueva and another Catholic priest were tried for sedition. —Jes Aznar, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025

An excerpt from my book may interest you: In 1980, after an uprising in his home base of Kwangju, the government charged Kim with sedition and conspiracy. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 26 Nov. 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

1838, 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