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

Grant’s actions marked the first time the federal government had declared an organized group in violation of sedition statutes since the beginning of the Civil War. —Brittany Friedman / Made By History, TIME, 6 Jan. 2025

Prabhu's lawyers argue that he has been unfairly targeted, but the court rejected his plea for bail, citing serious charges of sedition and threatening the country's security. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

He is tried for sedition and sentenced to six years in prison. —Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2016

Tarrio is serving the longest sentence handed down in connection with Jan. 6, followed by a rioter with a history of political violence who received a 20-year term and Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, who received an 18-year term after he was convicted of sedition. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 4 Dec. 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