subversion

[ suhb-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of subverting.
2. the state of being subverted; destruction.
3. something that subverts or overthrows.

subversion

/ səbˈvɜːʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of subverting or overthrowing a legally constituted government, institution, etc
2. the state of being subverted; destruction or ruin
3. something that brings about an overthrow

Other Words From

• anti·sub·version noun
• nonsub·version noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of subversion¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin subversiōn- (stem of subversiō ) an overthrowing. See sub-, version

Word History and Origins

Origin of subversion¹

C14: from Late Latin subversiō destruction, from Latin subvertere to subvert

Example Sentences

First, a photo he posted of Liu, the late dissident who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 while serving a prison sentence for “inciting subversion,” was deleted from his timeline, Shen said.

From Washington Post

If running for office and trying to win elections means subversion, it is clear that the NSL is aimed at the total subjugation of Hong Kong people.

From Fortune

There, the “true love” story is between sisters, an intentional subversion of the Disney standard.

From Vox

The new security legislation punishes those accused of vaguely defined crimes like secession and subversion, and gives police vastly expanded powers to surveil and investigate.

From Quartz

The Hong Kong government, meanwhile, said it has launched an investigation into whether the primaries could amount to an act of subversion—a crime punishable by up to life imprisonment under the national security law.

From Quartz

When the song ended, Wembore anticipated a fight and took off, pleased with the subversion of his dance.

From The Daily Beast

We are watching an invasion using subversion, coercion, and somewhat limited military action.

From The Daily Beast

Where are the labor leaders, who fought communist subversion at home and communist oppression abroad?

From The Daily Beast

Is subversion on the horizon or will Black Jesus sacrifice a historically political concept for the sake of a stoner comedy?

From The Daily Beast

It will be a tough task and will likely prompt yet more Russian aggression or subversion.

From The Daily Beast

Therefore, the logical place to look for subversion is in the slums.

From Project Gutenberg

What, but its subversion, its disseverment, by its own internal antagonism?

From Project Gutenberg

Such therefore was the state of learning before the subversion of the Western Empire.

From Project Gutenberg

That is a ground of real difference to a certain extent; but it is not a sufficient ground for the subversion of justice.

From Project Gutenberg

And now this dogma of my early days found its complete subversion, for these were not only dead, but as Gen. Jno.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• destruction