lese-majesty
Offending the crown
Lese-majesty is an offense against the dignity of a sovereign or state—originally a crime of treason or insult to a monarch.
The term now extends to any perceived affront to authority or established institutions: Questioning the CEO's decisions was treated as lese-majesty.
The word carries an ironic edge, often mocking excessive deference to power.
Inciting revolt against government
- subversionUndermining established authority
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
conspiracy · defection · traitor · turncoat · collaboration · infiltration · perfidy · insurrection
Disdainful disregard
- irreverenceDisregard for what's honored
- impudenceShameless boldness toward superiors
- insolenceBold, offensive disrespect
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
mockery · derision · scorn · disdain · affront · impertinence · effrontery · audacity
Supreme in power
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- royalOf monarchs
- kingMale crowned ruler
queen · emperor · tsar · sultan · regent · dynasty · realm · coronation
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
aspersion · smear · invective · vituperation · obloquy · contumely · lampoon · satire
sedition
Inciting revolt against government
- subversionUndermining established authority
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
disloyalty · conspiracy · defection · traitor · turncoat · collaboration · infiltration · perfidy · insurrection · regicide
contempt
Disdainful disregard
- irreverenceDisregard for what's honored
- impudenceShameless boldness toward superiors
- insolenceBold, offensive disrespect
defiance · mockery · derision · scorn · disdain · affront · impertinence · effrontery · audacity · disregard
sovereign
Supreme in power
king · queen · emperor · tsar · sultan · regent · dynasty · realm · coronation · abdication
slander
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
calumny · aspersion · smear · invective · vituperation · obloquy · contumely · lampoon · satire · caricature
lese-majestypatriotism
Devotion to one's homeland
royalism · monarchism · loyalism · jingoism · nationalism