treason

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "treason" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means an act of disloyalty or betrayal, specifically against one's own country or government. For example: "The accused was found guilty of treason for his acts of espionage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The US government, just as they did with other whistleblowers, immediately and predictably destroyed any possibility of a fair trial at home, openly declaring me guilty of treason and that the disclosure of secret, criminal, and even unconstitutional acts is an unforgivable crime.

The Guardian

Most seriously of all, Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister Musharraf ousted in a coup in 1999, won a landslide victory and initiated a treason trial for which the former dictator could be hanged if found guilty.

The Guardian

Anne, Henry VIII's second wife, was executed on May 19 1536 for alleged treason and adultery.

The Guardian - Travel

Literature began to pepper the windshields of cars at political events suggesting that Mr. McCain had committed treason while a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, that he was mentally unstable after years in a POW camp, that he was the homosexual candidate and that Mrs McCain, who had admitted to abusing prescription drugs years earlier, was an addict.

The Guardian

A group of Russian MPs have formally requested prosecutors to investigate former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev for treason over the breakup of the Soviet Union, a lawmaker said on Thursday.

The Guardian

Acquiescing to any deal involving restrictions on the rights of the roughly 800,000 Poles currently living in the UK would be considered tantamount to treason by Duda's nationalist base, seriously harming his and his party's patriotic credentials.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those of us present will never forget the debate in parliament when he was denounced – mainly from the Conservative side – for treachery and treason, among the more printable accusations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Senior US political figures have accused Snowden of committing treason.

The Guardian

After Murrow debates with McCarthy, his boss Bill Paley Frank Langellaaccusesses him of not correcting the senator on one point of fact: that the lawyer and State Department official Alger Hiss was convicted of perjury, not treason.

The Guardian - Film

The previous Saturday he had finally joined in preparations for the long brewing coup d'état against a fairly elected government and, only three days later, was revealing his capacity for terrorism, torture and treason with a foreign power.

The Guardian

The PM should be aware that the airport is named after Sir Roger Casement [the Irish nationalist executed in 1916 by the British for treason].

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "treason" carefully and accurately, as it carries significant legal and moral weight. Avoid using it hyperbolically or in situations where the actions do not genuinely threaten the state or its interests.

Common error

Avoid using "treason" loosely to describe acts of disagreement or dissent that do not involve direct betrayal of one's country or aiding its enemies. Overusing the term dilutes its significance and legal implications.

Linguistic Context

The noun "treason" functions as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the act of betraying one's country. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "treason" is central to discussions of law, politics, and history.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "treason" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that denotes the act of betraying one's country. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to accuse, describe, or discuss actions that constitute a serious breach of allegiance. Predominantly found in news and formal contexts, its usage carries significant legal and moral weight. When writing about "treason", be precise about the actions involved and avoid hyperbolic applications. Consider alternatives like "betrayal of one's country" or "disloyalty" to maintain accuracy and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high treason

This phrase specifically refers to treason against the sovereign or state, considered the most serious form of treason.

betrayal of one's country

This alternative specifies the target of the betrayal, highlighting the nation as the object of disloyalty.

treachery

This term implies a violation of allegiance, faith, or confidence, often involving deception.

disloyalty

This is a general term indicating a lack of fidelity or loyalty to a person, organization, or cause.

sedition

This term refers to conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state.

subversion

This term emphasizes the act of undermining the power and authority of an established system or institution.

insurrection

This word denotes a violent uprising against an authority or government.

perfidy

This alternative denotes deceitfulness and untrustworthiness, particularly in relation to a breach of faith or trust.

collaboration with the enemy

This phrase describes the act of cooperating with an enemy force, especially during wartime.

espionage

This alternative focuses on the act of spying, especially to gather secret information.

FAQs

How to use "treason" in a sentence?

You can use "treason" to describe acts of betrayal against one's country, such as "He was accused of "treason" for selling state secrets to a foreign power" or "The crime of "treason" carries severe penalties".

What's the difference between "treason" and "sedition"?

"Treason" involves direct betrayal of one's country, often by aiding its enemies. "Sedition", on the other hand, involves inciting rebellion or discontent against the government, which may not necessarily involve direct assistance to a foreign power.

What are some legal consequences of being convicted of "treason"?

The legal consequences of "treason" vary by jurisdiction but often include imprisonment and, in some cases, the death penalty. The specific penalties depend on the severity of the act and the laws of the country.

What can I say instead of "treason"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "betrayal of one's country", "disloyalty", or "perfidy" to describe actions that violate trust or allegiance.