Espionage vs. Treason

Espionagenoun

The act or process of learning secret information through clandestine means.

Espionagenoun

The practice or employment of spies; the practice of watching the words and conduct of others, to make discoveries, as spies or secret emissaries; secret watching.

Espionagenoun

the systematic use of spies to get military or political secrets

Espionage

Espionage or spying is the act of obtaining secret or confidential information from non-disclosed sources or divulging of the same without the permission of the holder of the information. A person who commits espionage is called an espionage agent or spy.

Treasonnoun

The crime of betraying one’s own country.

Treasonnoun

An act of treachery, betrayal of trust or confidence.

Treasonnoun

The offense of attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance, or of betraying the state into the hands of a foreign power; disloyalty; treachery.

Treasonnoun

Loosely, the betrayal of any trust or confidence; treachery; perfidy.

Treasonnoun

a crime that undermines the offender's government

Treasonnoun

disloyalty by virtue of subversive behavior

Treasonnoun

an act of deliberate betrayal

Treason

Treason is the crime of attacking a state authority to which one owes allegiance. This typically includes acts such as participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state.