subversive

American  

[suhb-vur-siv] / səbˈvɜr sɪv /

adjective

1. Also subversionary tending or intending to subvert or overthrow, destroy, or undermine an established or existing system, especially a legally constituted government or a set of beliefs.

   Synonyms:

   destructive, seditious, treacherous, traitorous

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noun

1. a person who adopts subversive principles or policies.

subversive British  

/ səbˈvɜːsɪv /

adjective

1. liable to subvert or overthrow a government, legally constituted institution, etc

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noun

1. a person engaged in subversive activities, etc

Other Word Forms

• countersubversive noun
• nonsubversive adjective
• nonsubversively adverb
• nonsubversiveness noun
• self-subversive adjective
• subversively adverb
• subversiveness noun
• subversivism noun
• unsubversive adjective
• unsubversively adverb
• unsubversiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of subversive

1635–45; < Latin subvers ( us ) (past participle of subvertere to subvert ) + -ive

Explanation

You might want to call someone subversive if they are sneakily trying to undermine something, from the social structure of your high school to an entire system of government. You can use subversive as a noun or an adjective without changing it one whit. Note the prefix sub, meaning "underneath," with the remainder coming from the Latin vertere, "to turn." Think about a subversive as a sneaky kind of revolutionary who tries to turn the system from underneath. Art or literature is considered subversive if it attempts to undermine the dominant values and traditions of a society.

Example Sentences

“It had a subversive side to it,” Schaffner said of the annual gift.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Those who refuted their work as simple stoner comedy were missing out on some of the more subversive critiques of America during the short but pivotal post-Vietnam, pre-Reagan era.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

The College Republicans chapter at UF has had a reputation for being energetic, subversive and confrontational, say students there.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Her Guardian colleague Rhik Samadder enjoys the "subversive" nature of The Muppets however, and the show-within-a-show.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

Hundreds of black clergymen, journalists, civil rights activists, teachers, lawyers, students and anyone suspected of subversive acts had been detained.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

Related Words

• incendiary
• riotous