subversion

American  

[suhb-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn] / səbˈvɜr ʒən, -ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of subverting.

2. the state of being subverted; destruction.

3. something that subverts or overthrows.

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subversion British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• antisubversion noun
• nonsubversion noun

Etymology

Origin of subversion

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

Example Sentences

In 2019, pastor Wang Yi was sentenced to nine years in prison for incitement of subversion of state power and illegal business operations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Perversely, it’s times like these, when subversion and subtlety are required, that creativity flourishes.

From Salon

The chatbot must refuse to answer at least 95% of prompts designed to trigger responses leading to subversion of state power or discrimination.

From The Wall Street Journal

The national-security regulations, which were expanded last year, feature broad provisions against subversion and foreign collusion that have been used to clamp down on popular expressions of dissent.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• destruction