subvert
verb
sub·vert səb-ˈvərt 
subverted; subverting; subverts
transitive verb
1
: to overturn or overthrow from the foundation : ruin
2
: to pervert or corrupt by an undermining of morals, allegiance, or faith
subverter noun
Synonyms
- abase
- bastardize
- canker
- cheapen
- corrupt
- debase
- debauch
- degrade
- demean
- demoralize
- deprave
- deteriorate
- lessen
- pervert
- poison
- profane
- prostitute
- vitiate
- warp
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
They conspired to subvert the government. trying to subvert the electoral process
Recent Examples on the Web Four other Oath Keepers defendants are scheduled for trial later this month with Mr. Rhodes on charges of seditious conspiracy, a serious and rarely charged offense that criminalizes efforts to subvert the functioning of the U.S. government. 
Jan Wolfe, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Trump often berated Cipollone for objecting to his attempts to subvert Joe Biden’s victory, according to former officials. Maggie Haberman, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2022 There’s no indication her husband was involved in attempts to subvert a legal election. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 29 Mar. 2022 The industry has tried to block or subvert a government free tax filing system for decades. Justin Elliott, ProPublica, 16 Aug. 2022 Bolsonaro is all but announcing his intentions to subvert Brazilian democracy in real time, and has resorted to openly debasing his own country in the eyes of the world in the hopes that there will be real questions about who won in October. Andre Pagliarini, The New Republic, 27 July 2022 His mission was bedeviled from the start, largely because Jan. 6 was not a singular event but part of Mr. Trump’s ongoing campaign to subvert the law for personal gain. New York Times, 25 Apr. 2022 Italy’s Matteo Salvini and France’s Marine Le Pen have also forged close ties with Orban, seeing in the Hungarian leader’s track record a recipe to subvert mainstream politics in their own countries. Zoltan Simon, Bloomberg.com, 21 Jan. 2022 Solidifying the onscreen persona that Dunst would go on to milk and subvert in equal measure, the film is a testament to her intuition. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2021 See More
Jan Wolfe, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Trump often berated Cipollone for objecting to his attempts to subvert Joe Biden’s victory, according to former officials. Maggie Haberman, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2022 There’s no indication her husband was involved in attempts to subvert a legal election. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 29 Mar. 2022 The industry has tried to block or subvert a government free tax filing system for decades. Justin Elliott, ProPublica, 16 Aug. 2022 Bolsonaro is all but announcing his intentions to subvert Brazilian democracy in real time, and has resorted to openly debasing his own country in the eyes of the world in the hopes that there will be real questions about who won in October. Andre Pagliarini, The New Republic, 27 July 2022 His mission was bedeviled from the start, largely because Jan. 6 was not a singular event but part of Mr. Trump’s ongoing campaign to subvert the law for personal gain. New York Times, 25 Apr. 2022 Italy’s Matteo Salvini and France’s Marine Le Pen have also forged close ties with Orban, seeing in the Hungarian leader’s track record a recipe to subvert mainstream politics in their own countries. Zoltan Simon, Bloomberg.com, 21 Jan. 2022 Solidifying the onscreen persona that Dunst would go on to milk and subvert in equal measure, the film is a testament to her intuition. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French subvertir, from Latin subvertere, literally, to turn from beneath, from sub- + vertere to turn — more at worth
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
subvert
verb
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality by insisting that she pay me for helping her, she subverted my noble desire to do a good deed without reward Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- degrade
- weaken
- humiliate
- corrupt
- destroy
- debase
- dilute
- demean
- bastardize
- pervert
- deteriorate
- ruin
- debauch
- poison
- deprave
- vitiate
- cheapen
- damage
- pollute
- mar
- demoralize
- lessen
- impair
- contaminate
- canker
- taint
- disgrace
- abase
- warp
- prostitute
- harm
- shame
- profane
- humble
- thin
- dirty
- hurt
- defile
- dishonor
- spoil
- water down
- wreck
- tarnish
- deface
- flaw
- befoul
- begrime
- stain
- descend
- depreciate
- take down
- downgrade
- blemish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- elevate
- improve
- enhance
- exalt
- uplift
- enrich
- honor
- amend
- restore
- better
- ennoble
- perfect
- ameliorate
- refine
- dignify
- purify
- clarify
- cleanse
- clean
- respect
- meliorate