It comes from the Latin noun sēditiō, meaning “sedition, insurrection, mutiny.” The word is based on roots that literally mean “a going apart.” Legal definition of sedition The word sedition was first recorded in the 1300s. This use is sometimes done for rhetorical effect or when condemning authoritarian governments who are accusing, punishing, or jailing its critics or opponents as guilty of sedition. The word sedition can also more broadly refer to activities that show resistance or opposition to a government more generally. Its noun forms (e.g., someone planning sedition) are seditionist and seditionary. Sedition is the “incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government.” Its adjective form is seditious, as in seditious conspiracy. Learn more about the difference between capitol and capital. The alarming events on January 6 took place at the US Capitol building. What do each of these words mean? Are they used differently in legal contexts than they are in everyday settings? And what are the distinctions between them? But, as became plainly clear on January 6, words matter.

Many journalists, political analysts, and politicians all used these very serious-and consequential-words to refer to the shocking events that occurred in the nation’s capital. On January 6, 2021, interest in the words insurrection, sedition, treason, and coup all surged on on after a mob of supporters of Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol building on the day Congress was set to certify the electoral vote count to confirm Joe Biden’s presidential election victory.

Treason and espionage definition