subversion

[ suhb-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn ]

/ səbˈvɜr ʒən, -ʃən /

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noun

an act or instance of subverting.

the state of being subverted; destruction.

something that subverts or overthrows.

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Origin of subversion

1350–1400; Middle English <Late Latin subversiōn- (stem of subversiō) an overthrowing. See sub-, version

OTHER WORDS FROM subversion

an·ti·sub·ver·sion, nounnon·sub·ver·sion, noun

Words nearby subversion

suburbicarian, subvariant, subvene, subvention, sub verbo, subversion, subversive, subvert, subviral, subvisible, subvocal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use subversion in a sentence

First, a photo he posted of Liu, the late dissident who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 while serving a prison sentence for “inciting subversion,” was deleted from his timeline, Shen said.
Chinese censorship invades the U.S. via WeChat|Jeanne Whalen|January 7, 2021|Washington Post
If running for office and trying to win elections means subversion, it is clear that the NSL is aimed at the total subjugation of Hong Kong people.
Hong Kong arrests American lawyer in latest round-up of opposition figures|Claire Zillman, reporter|January 6, 2021|Fortune
There, the “true love” story is between sisters, an intentional subversion of the Disney standard.
Toward a queer Disney canon|Emily VanDerWerff|September 4, 2020|Vox
The new security legislation punishes those accused of vaguely defined crimes like secession and subversion, and gives police vastly expanded powers to surveil and investigate.
A Cultural Revolution 2.0 is sweeping through Hong Kong’s offices and schools|Mary Hui|July 22, 2020|Quartz

The Hong Kong government, meanwhile, said it has launched an investigation into whether the primaries could amount to an act of subversion—a crime punishable by up to life imprisonment under the national security law.
Over half a million Hong Kongers are potentially guilty of breaking the national security law|Mary Hui|July 14, 2020|Quartz
When the song ended, Wembore anticipated a fight and took off, pleased with the subversion of his dance.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We are watching an invasion using subversion, coercion, and somewhat limited military action.
Is the U.S. Enabling Putin's Invasion?|Christopher Dickey|August 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Where are the labor leaders, who fought communist subversion at home and communist oppression abroad?
Communism's Victims Deserve a Museum|James Kirchick|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Is subversion on the horizon or will Black Jesus sacrifice a historically political concept for the sake of a stoner comedy?
‘Black Jesus’ Resurrected: Racial Stereotypes or Subversive Comedy?|Rawiya Kameir|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It will be a tough task and will likely prompt yet more Russian aggression or subversion.
Pro-Russian Protesters in East Ukraine Laugh at Kiev’s Threats|David Patrikarakos|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Therefore, the logical place to look for subversion is in the slums.
The Status Civilization|Robert Sheckley
What, but its subversion, its disseverment, by its own internal antagonism?
The Right of American Slavery|True Worthy Hoit
Such therefore was the state of learning before the subversion of the Western Empire.
View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Henry Hallam
That is a ground of real difference to a certain extent; but it is not a sufficient ground for the subversion of justice.
Caleb Williams|William Godwin
And now this dogma of my early days found its complete subversion, for these were not only dead, but as Gen. Jno.
Under the Stars and Bars|Walter A. Clark

British Dictionary definitions for subversion

subversion

/ (səbˈvɜːʃən) /

noun

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

Word Origin for subversion

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

subversion

Origin of subversion

OTHER WORDS FROM subversion

Words nearby subversion

Words related to subversion

How to use subversion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for subversion

Word Origin for subversion