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 Word Forms

• antisubversion noun
• nonsubversion 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

There have been a deluge of examples of this subversion in recent days.

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Think subversion through infiltration — or revolution through stealth.

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The legislation criminalises a wider range of dissenting acts which Beijing considers subversion and secession, among other things.

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The fact that Newsom’s plan returns the power to redistrict to the citizens commission after the midterms makes it no less a subversion of the democratically expressed will of California’s voters.

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In November last year a Hong Kong court sentenced dozens of pro-democracy leaders to years in jail for subversion, following a controversial national security trial.

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Related Words

• destruction