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View synonyms for

treason

[ tree-zuhn ]

noun

  1. the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
  2. a violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or to one's state.
  3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.


treason

/ ˈٰːə /

noun

  1. violation or betrayal of the allegiance that a person owes his sovereign or his country, esp by attempting to overthrow the government; high treason
  2. any treachery or betrayal
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٰ𲹲DzԲԱ, noun
  • ˈٰ𲹲DzԲ, adjective
  • ˈٰ𲹲DzԲ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • p·ٰsDz noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of treason1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English tre(i)so(u)n, from Anglo-French; Old French ٰïDz, from Latin ٰ徱پō-, stem of ٰ徱پō “delivery, transfer, betrayal”; tradition
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Word History and Origins

Origin of treason1

C13: from Old French ٰïDz , from Latin ٰ徱پō a handing over; see tradition , traditor
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Compare Meanings

How does treason compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Synonym Study

Treason, sedition mean disloyalty or treachery to one's country or its government. Treason is any attempt to overthrow the government or impair the well-being of a state to which one owes allegiance; the crime of giving aid or comfort to the enemies of one's government. Sedition is any act, writing, speech, etc., directed unlawfully against state authority, the government, or constitution, or calculated to bring it into contempt or to incite others to hostility, ill will or disaffection; it does not amount to treason and therefore is not a capital offense. See disloyalty.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Lissu, the leader of the main opposition party, Chadema, is back in the limelight after being charged with treason - a crime for which the maximum sentence is the death penalty.

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On Friday, the government accused Kabila, 53, of high treason and ordered the seizure of all his property.

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Tanzania's main opposition party has been barred from participating in this year's election, days after its leader was charged with treason.

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When Trump announced his instructions, he said that he believes Taylor committed treason.

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Trump also said he suspected Taylor is “guilty of treason.”

From

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treas.treasonable