Curious about the definition of sedition? This article will provide you with its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!
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Kevin
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January 29, 2022
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What Does the Word Sedition Mean?
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Merriam-Webster English Dictionary, and Britannica, sedition refers to crime against the state from the incitement of discontent against the government or the plan to commit an overthrow of the government.
While the crimes of sedition and treason are similar, sedition is limited to encouraging government opposition through speech or writing and is a lesser crime than treason. This can refer to seditious writing, also called seditious libel, seditious conspiracy, or seditious words, as well as creating public disorder or civil disorder.
Has Sedition Occurred in the United States?
There have been two sedition acts passed in the United States. However, both have been repealed since their initial passing. The first was a part of the 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts by President John Adams and Vice President Thomas Jefferson.
The original act, when it was passed, read:
““[i]f two or more persons in [the U.S.], conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them [to fight against one’s own country], or to oppose by force the authority thereof [resisting arrest], or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.”
The Alien and Sedition Acts restricted the political activities of the people in the United States who sympathized with French revolutionaries, while the Sedition Act of 1918 was related to the United States’ entry into World War I.
This was repealed in 1921 but made it illegal to insult the government of the United States or military. Laws passed against these often go against free speech in the first amendment.
Sedition was a hot-button topic on January 6, 2020, when a mob of Americans who are President Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building during the electoral college count confirming Joe Biden’s presidential election victory. This open violence, disruption of the established order, and overt conduct of sedition were prosecuted.
Etymology of Sedition
The word sedition comes from the Middle English sedicioun and Latin sēditiōn, from the stem of the Latin sēditiō, sēd, and the past participle of īre.
The pronunciation of sedition is sɪˈdɪʃən; someone who commits sedition is a seditionist. Sedition has three syllables: sed-i-tion.
How Can You Say the Word Sedition in Other Languages?
People around the world use different words that translate to sedition, according to Word Sense. If you are planning to travel, or if you are going to have a conversation with someone who does not speak English, it can be very useful to know various translations of the word sedition. Learning translations of different words can also assist you in learning their etymology. Often, if two words have the same language of origin or root, they will look or sound similar.
- Latin: sēditiō
- Spanish: sedición
- Greek: στάση
- Polish: rokosz , bunt
- French: sédition , révolte ,
- Russian: мяте́ж , восста́ние (neut.)
- Scottish Gaelic: eadar-dhealachadh
- Italian: sedizione
- Portuguese: sedição , revolta , motim
- German: Aufruhr
- Dutch: opstand, opruiing
- Afrikaans: opstand
- Catalan: sedició
- Arabic: فِتْنَة
How Can the Word Sedition Be Used In a Sentence?
While the word sedition may seem like a complex word, it can be very helpful to use it in a sentence in order to memorize the definition. If you are referring to something as sedition, make sure you know how to use this word in a sentence.
Take a look at the below examples of the word sedition and its related words to learn more:
The Federalists feared sedition by the people who supported the old French and made it an illegal action to warn against it.
The seditionists had many accomplices in Washington that were willing to start violent strife and the incitement of resistance in the jurisdiction of the United States.
What Are Synonyms of the Word Sedition?
Sedition refers to a very specific act. If you are referring to something that is similar to sedition, but looking for a word that does not have the same legal connotations as the word sedition, using a synonym from Power Thesaurus is a great option. Synonyms are words that have a similar or identical meaning or definition to another word or phrase.
- traitorousness
- crime
- sabotage
- overthrow
- disloyalties
- subversion
- insurrections
- deception
- high treason
- provocation
- disobedience
- duplicity
- betrayal
- perfidy
- revolution
- seditious act
- unrest
- faithlessness
- disaffection
- insubordination
- troublemaking
- agitation
- discord
- revolt
- rabble-rousing
- dishonesty
- conspiracy
- incitement to rebel
- coup d’état
- riot
- mutinousness
- put-up job
- recalcitrance
- disregard
- protest
- treason
- mutiny
- subversive activity
- apostasy
- perfidiousness
- unfaithfulness
- defection
- seditiousness
- fomentation
- instigation
- insurgence
- insurgency
- breaking of faith
- coup
- faction
- insurrection
- breach of faith
- dissent
- tumult
- treachery
- breach of trust
- untrueness
- disloyalty
- betrayal of trust
- violation
- deceit
- rebellion
- defiance
- uprising
What Are Antonyms of the Word Sedition?
What if you would like to know words that mean the opposite of the word sedition? For that, you can turn to a list of antonyms, which are also known as opposite words. This list of antonyms for sedition is also provided by Power Thesaurus.
- obedience
- correctness
- accuracy
- constancy
- authority
- calm
- lawfulness
- homage
- bluntness
- submission
- decency
- adherence
- appeasement
- devotion
- candor
- faithfulness
- dedication
- chastity
- candor
- subjection
- domination
- loyalty
- attachment
- bonding
- fealty
- authenticity
- adhesion
- allegiance
- ardor
- dependability
- good faith
Conclusion
Overall, the word sedition means acts taken directly against the government. This can refer to seditious words or seditious actions and is similar to treason.
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