subversion
noun
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Subversion is literally the "turning over" of something. In the 1950s and '60s, many people worried about communist subversion of the U.S. government, though they often saw subversive activities where none existed. Nondemocratic governments often claim that anyone who disagrees with them or joins a demonstration is a subversive. But subversion isn't always quite so serious a matter; when words like weekend, sandwich, job, *and *camping started being used by the French, for example, some of them began claiming that America was subverting their language.
Example Sentences
Reuters, CNN, 11 Nov. 2021 The novels, quietly radical in their subversion of nineteenth-century literary convention, were published at his own expense and roundly ignored, except by a couple of critics who scolded him for his low subject matter. Nathaniel Rich, The New York Review of Books, 24 Aug. 2022 Started by 25-year-old Rogeri Scandela, @tweakseason is an evolution, or perhaps a subversion, of those polished social media documentarians of the city. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2022 Of course, there's still plenty of subversion going on. Grayson Quay, The Week, 16 Aug. 2022 In her sharpest moments onscreen — and Donnie Brasco definitely had them — Heche supplied hints of subversion and frustration, an interiority that existed outside of the plot. Ew Staff, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2022 Since then, almost 200 people have been arrested on charges of subversion, secession, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces, including journalists and many of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy figures. Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 1 July 2022 But the other thing that is really cool is the subversion of that idea. André-naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2022 The subversion comes from the direction Tindle wanted to take this story. Nick Romano, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin subversion-, subversio, from Latin subvertere
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing subversion
Legal Definition
subversion
noun
subversion
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- sabotage
- insurrection
- treason
- rebellion
- treachery
- unrest
- overthrow
- revolution
- revolt
- uprising
- mutiny
- insurgency
- coup
- sedition
- upset
- overturn
- misprision
- coup d'état
- outbreak
- eruption
- upheaval
- turmoil
- coup d'etat
- outburst
- commotion
- ruction
- bustle
- coil
- stir
- convulsion
- ruckus
- hubbub
- pandemonium
- paroxysm
- rumpus
- furore
- rout
- bluster
- tumult
- furor
- squall
- hullabaloo
- tempest
- bobbery
- earthquake
- row
- fuss
- stew
- welter
- shindy
- hurly-burly
- uproar
- cataclysm
- flare-up
- to-do
- bouleversement
- storm
- williwaw