subversion
[suh b-vur-zhuh n, -shuh n]
- an act or instance of subverting.
- the state of being subverted; destruction.
- something that subverts or overthrows.
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Origin of subversion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for subversion
Contemporary Examples
When the song ended, Wembore anticipated a fight and took off, pleased with the subversion of his dance.
Is subversion on the horizon or will Black Jesus sacrifice a historically political concept for the sake of a stoner comedy?
It will be a tough task and will likely prompt yet more Russian aggression or subversion.
This was damage control for a man who only quit bullying and lying and subversion of the law when he finally got cornered.
Nobel Peace Prize-winner Liu Xiaobo was sentenced to 11 years in prison for subversion on Christmas Day 2009.
Historical Examples
Neither had he been anxious to exert himself for its subversion.
A Set of SixJoseph Conrad
Therefore, the logical place to look for subversion is in the slums.
The Status CivilizationRobert Sheckley
Your jargon was 'peace,' which meant Spanish invasion and Scottish subversion.
RaleighEdmund Gosse
Your jargon was peace, which meant Spanish invasion and Scottish subversion.'
Sir Walter RaleghWilliam Stebbing
What, but its subversion, its disseverment, by its own internal antagonism?
The Right of American SlaveryTrue Worthy Hoit
subversion
- the act or an instance of subverting or overthrowing a legally constituted government, institution, etc
- the state of being subverted; destruction or ruin
- something that brings about an overthrow
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Word Origin
C14: from Late Latin subversiō destruction, from Latin subvertere to subvert
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for subversion
n.
late 14c., "physical destruction, demolition, ruination," from Old French subversion, from Late Latin subversionem (nominative subversio) "an overthrow, ruin, destruction," from past participle stem of subvertere (see subvert).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper