sedition

noun

se·​di·​tion si-ˈdi-shən How to pronounce sedition (audio)
: 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 In 2021, after Beijing imposed a sweeping National Security Law on Hong Kong to ban sedition, secession and subversion, the university removed the statue under the cover of darkness and placed it in storage. Oscar Holland, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 But China also insisted on a provision called Article 23, which required Hong Kong to draft a package of internal security laws to replace colonial-era sedition laws. David Pierson, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sedition 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sedition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sedition was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sedition

Cite this Entry

“Sedition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedition. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sedition

noun
se·​di·​tion si-ˈdish-ən How to pronounce sedition (audio)
: the stirring up of feelings against lawful authority

Legal Definition

sedition

noun
se·​di·​tion si-ˈdi-shən How to pronounce sedition (audio)
: 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 adjective
seditiously adverb
Etymology

Latin seditio, literally, separation, from sed apart + itio act of going, from ire to go

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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