high treason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "high treason" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the act of betraying or attempting to overthrow one's government or leader. Example: The convicted politician was sentenced to life in prison for committing high treason against the country's ruling party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

High treason?

The Economist

High Treason, 1990.

Cornell University

High treason, anyone?

The Guardian - Sport

Accused of high treason, Kornilov mutinied.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not so a high treason charge.

The Economist

He accused the academics of "high treason".

The Guardian

Both men are charged with high treason.

The New York Times

79 (1678), five defendants were accused of high treason.

Cornell University

Only the government can initiate a trial for high treason.

The Economist

Mr. Corvalán was later convicted of high treason.

The New York Times

Conspiracy or rebellion against them was deemed high treason.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "high treason", ensure the context clearly indicates a betrayal of the nation or its leader, not just any act of disloyalty.

Common error

Avoid using "high treason" loosely for lesser offenses like simple dissent or disagreement with government policies. "High treason" specifically involves acts that directly threaten the stability or existence of the state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high treason" functions primarily as a noun, typically serving as the object or subject in a sentence. It names the specific crime of betraying one's country. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is used in legal and political contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

21%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "high treason" is a noun phrase that denotes criminal disloyalty to one's country. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal contexts such as news reports, encyclopedias, and legal documents. The phrase appears most often when discussing legal proceedings, historical events, or political analyses relating to acts of betrayal against a nation. While the term is widely used, it is important to use it accurately, distinguishing it from lesser offenses. Be aware that alternatives like "betrayal of one's country" or "sedition" might be more appropriate in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

treason against the state

Specifies the target of the treasonous act as the state itself.

betrayal of one's country

Replaces the legal term "treason" with a more general term "betrayal".

rebellion against the government

Replaces "treason" with "rebellion" and specifies the target as "the government".

sedition

Refers to conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch.

insurrection

Emphasizes the aspect of actively rising in revolt against established authority.

subversion of the constitution

Focuses on undermining the constitutional foundations of a government.

criminal disloyalty

Uses a broader description of disloyalty that is criminal in nature.

violation of allegiance

Highlights the breach of the duty of loyalty owed by a citizen or subject to their government.

perfidy

Implies a deliberate breach of faith or trust.

lèse-majesté

Refers to the crime of violating the dignity of a ruler or the state.

FAQs

What exactly constitutes "high treason"?

"High treason" generally refers to acts of betrayal against one's country, such as attempting to overthrow the government or aiding enemies of the state.

What are some potential consequences of being convicted of "high treason"?

The consequences of "high treason" can be severe, often including imprisonment or even execution, depending on the laws of the country.

How does "high treason" differ from regular treason?

"High treason" typically involves betrayal against the state or its leader, whereas other forms of treason might involve betrayal against other entities or individuals. The term "treason" by itself is sufficient in cases where the target is evident from the context.

What are some alternative phrases for "high treason"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "betrayal of one's country", "sedition", or "rebellion against the government".