lèse-majesté
Crime against sovereignty
Lèse-majesté is an offense against the dignity of a ruler or sovereign power—originally a crime punishable by death, now used more broadly for any affront to authority or prestige.
The term comes from French, literally "injured majesty." In some countries, lèse-majesté laws still criminalize criticism of monarchs: He was charged with lèse-majesté for mocking the king.
Figuratively, it describes any perceived slight to someone's self-importance: Questioning her taste in wine was apparently lèse-majesté.
Betraying one's nation
- seditionInciting revolt against government
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- insultOffensive remark or action
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
imprisonment · censorship · indictment · criminal · statute · penalty · offense · sovereign
Violation of the hallowed
- irreverenceDisregard for what's honored
- disrespectLack of regard
- affrontDeliberate public insult
- audacityBrazen, reckless daring
impertinence · presumption · insolence · transgression · taboo · untouchable · sacred cow · heresy
Disagreement with authority
- criticismJudgment of faults
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
authoritarian · repression · silencing · crackdown · activist · dissident · free speech · censorship
treason
Betraying one's nation
- seditionInciting revolt against government
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- insultOffensive remark or action
prosecution · imprisonment · censorship · indictment · criminal · statute · penalty · offense · sovereign · crown
sacrilege
Violation of the hallowed
- irreverenceDisregard for what's honored
- disrespectLack of regard
- affrontDeliberate public insult
audacity · impertinence · presumption · insolence · transgression · taboo · untouchable · sacred cow · heresy · blasphemy
dissent
Disagreement with authority
- criticismJudgment of faults
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
suppression · authoritarian · repression · silencing · crackdown · activist · dissident · free speech · censorship · regime
lèse-majestéfealty
Pledged devotion to authority
homage · obeisance · veneration · allegiance · loyalty
lèse-majestéfreedom of speech
Protected right to speak
free expression · protected speech · press freedom · democratic discourse · loyal opposition
lèse-majestépopular sovereignty
Populace holds ultimate authority
republican government · constitutional democracy · rule of law · democratic accountability · government transparency