Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense subverts, present participle subverting, past tense, past participle subverted
verb
To subvert something means to destroy its power and influence.
[formal]
...an alleged plot to subvert the state. [VERB noun]
...a last attempt to subvert culture from within. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: overturn, destroy, undermine, upset More Synonyms of subvert
More Synonyms of subvert
subvert in British English
(səbˈvɜːt)
verb(transitive)
1.
to bring about the complete downfall or ruin of (something existing or established by a system of law, etc)
2.
to undermine the moral principles of (a person, etc); corrupt
Derived forms
subverter (subˈverter)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin subvertere to overturn, from sub- from below + vertere to turn
subvert in American English
(səbˈvɜrt)
verb transitive
1.
to overthrow or destroy (something established)
2.
to undermine or corrupt, as in morals
Derived forms
subverter (subˈverter)
noun
Word origin
ME subverten < MFr subvertir < L subvertere < sub-, sub- + vertere, to turn: see verse
Examples of 'subvert' in a sentence
subvert
That they cannot subvert the very system of justice we are rightly so proud of.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This government will not allow anyone to subvert the law.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
If they do not, these actors may apply pressure through political channels to subvert or destroy the plan.
Low, Nicholas Politics, Planning and the State (1990)
The law has been subverted.
Smith, Drew Food Watch (1994)
It is almost beyond satire that those who claim that political concerns had subverted our system of justice are themselves attempting to do exactly the same thing.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A democratic government must also respect the will of the people and not use its powers to subvert democracy and avoid accountability.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
subvert
British English: subvert VERB
To subvert something means to destroy its power and influence.
...an alleged plot to subvert the state.
American English: subvert
Brazilian Portuguese: subverter
Chinese: 颠覆
European Spanish: subvertir
French: renverser
German: stürzen
Italian: sovvertire
Japanese: 転覆させる
Korean: 전복시키다
European Portuguese: subverter
Latin American Spanish: subvertir
1 (verb)
Definition
to bring about the downfall of (something existing by a system of law, such as a government)
an alleged plot to subvert the state
Synonyms
overturn
Alex jumped up so violently that he overturned the table.
destroy
The building was completely destroyed.
undermine
They are accused of trying to undermine the government.
upset
bumping into him, and almost upsetting the ginger ale
ruin
Roads have been destroyed and crops ruined.
wreck
Vandals wrecked the garden.
demolish
Their intention was to demolish his reputation.
sabotage
The main pipeline was sabotaged by rebels.
2 (verb)
an attempt to subvert the electoral process
Synonyms
corrupt
Cruelty depraves and corrupts.
pervert
He was accused of perverting the nation's youth.
deprave
material likely to deprave those who hear or read it
poison
ill-feeling that will poison further negotiations
contaminate
The fishing waters have been contaminated with toxic wastes.
confound
debase
He claims that advertising debases the English language.
demoralize
vitiate
His otherwise admirable character is vitiated by his pride.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of contaminate
Definition
to make impure
The fishing waters have been contaminated with toxic wastes.
Synonyms
pollute,
infect,
stain,
corrupt,
taint,
sully,
defile,
adulterate,
befoul,
soil
in the sense of debase
Definition
to lower in quality, character, or value
He claims that advertising debases the English language.
Synonyms
corrupt,
contaminate,
devalue,
pollute,
impair,
taint,
depreciate,
defile,
adulterate,
vitiate,
bastardize
in the sense of demolish
Definition
to put an end to
Their intention was to demolish his reputation.
Synonyms
destroy,
ruin,
wreck,
smash,
overturn,
overthrow,
undo,
discredit,
blow out of the water (slang)
Synonyms of 'subvert'
subvert
Explore 'subvert' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of deprave
material likely to deprave those who hear or read it
Synonyms
corrupt,
pervert,
degrade,
seduce,
subvert,
debase,
demoralize,
debauch,
brutalize,
lead astray,
vitiate
in the sense of destroy
Definition
to ruin
The building was completely destroyed.
Synonyms
ruin,
smash,
crush,
waste,
devastate,
break down,
wreck,
shatter,
gut,
wipe out,
dispatch,
dismantle,
demolish,
trash (slang),
total (slang),
ravage,
slay (archaic, literary),
eradicate,
torpedo,
extinguish,
desolate,
annihilate,
put paid to,
raze,
blow to bits,
extirpate (archaic),
blow sky-high
in the sense of pervert
Definition
to debase
He was accused of perverting the nation's youth.
Synonyms
corrupt,
degrade,
subvert,
deprave,
debase (formal),
desecrate,
debauch,
lead astray
in the sense of poison
Definition
to turn (a person's mind) against
ill-feeling that will poison further negotiations
Synonyms
corrupt,
colour,
undermine,
bias,
sour,
pervert,
warp,
taint,
subvert,
embitter,
deprave,
defile,
jaundice,
vitiate,
envenom
in the sense of ruin
Definition
to destroy or spoil completely
Roads have been destroyed and crops ruined.
Synonyms
destroy,
devastate,
wreck,
trash (slang),
break,
total (slang),
defeat,
smash,
crush,
overwhelm,
shatter,
overturn,
overthrow,
bring down,
demolish,
raze,
lay waste,
lay in ruins,
wreak havoc upon,
bring to ruin,
bring to nothing,
kennet (Australian, slang),
jeff (Australian, slang)
in the sense of sabotage
Definition
to destroy or disrupt by sabotage
The main pipeline was sabotaged by rebels.
Synonyms
damage,
destroy,
wreck,
undermine,
disable,
disrupt,
cripple,
subvert,
incapacitate,
vandalize,
throw a spanner in the works (British, informal),
sap the foundations of
in the sense of undermine
Definition
to weaken gradually or insidiously
They are accused of trying to undermine the government.
Synonyms
weaken,
sabotage,
subvert,
compromise,
disable,
debilitate,
disempower
in the sense of upset
Definition
to turn or tip over
bumping into him, and almost upsetting the ginger ale
Synonyms
tip over,
overturn,
capsize,
knock over,
spill,
topple over
in the sense of vitiate
His otherwise admirable character is vitiated by his pride.