sedition Hear it!

sedition Definition

se·di·tion (si dis̸hən)

noun

  1. the stirring up of discontent, resistance, or rebellion against the government in power
  2. Archaic revolt or rebellion

Etymology: ME sedicion < OFr < L seditio < sed-, apart (see secede) + itio, a going < ire, to go: see year

sedition Related Forms

se·di·tion·ar′y noun, adjective se·di·tion·ist noun

sedition Synonyms

sedition

n.

treason, revolt, mutiny, insurrection; see revolution 2, treason. See syn. study at treason.

sedition Law Definition

n

An activity or communication aimed at overthrowing governmental authority. Sedition acts were passed in the United States as early as 1798 and as recently as World War I. The United States Supreme Court ruled in 1919 that communications urging sedition could only be punished if there was a clear and present danger. Otherwise, it was a contradiction of the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech.

sedition Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • cause: On the days following this meeting these three men were arrested and charged under DORA with the offense of intending to cause sedition.
  • foment: For this purpose former German Communist agents were employed to foment sedition and to arrange for acts of sabotage in Germany.
  • shift: If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot.
  • spread: By 1531 the king was demanding the surrender of Tyndale by the Emperor, on the charge that he was spreading sedition in England.
  • regard: But publications were still subject to the laws of the land regarding sedition, blasphemy, obscenity and libel.
  • find: They took me into the guard-house and searched me, but they found no sedition on me.

Adjective modifier

  • secular: And how Dahl, who believed passionately in spreading secular sedition, would have enjoyed it.
  • political: What is more dangerous tho is the incitement to political sedition.

Modifies a noun

  • law: This resulted in the passing of sedition laws, including bans on free speech.
  • trial: Bishop in the Dock: the sedition trial of James Liston Rory Sweetman, Otago University.
  • hush: May he sedition hush and like a torrent rush, Rebellious Scots to crush, God save the King.

Browse dictionary entries near sedition

  1. sedimentology
  2. sedimentation
  3. sedimentary
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  5. sedilia
  6. sedge
  7. Seder
  8. sedentary
  9. sedative
  10. sedation
  1. seditious
  2. seduce
  3. seducer
  4. seduction
  5. seductive
  6. seductress
  7. sedulity
  8. sedulous
  9. sedum
  10. see