verb
-
to bring about the complete downfall or ruin of (something existing or established by a system of law, etc)
-
to undermine the moral principles of (a person, etc); corrupt
Other Word Forms
- subverter noun
- unsubverted adjective
Etymology
Origin of subvert
1325–75; Middle English subverten < Latin subvertere to overthrow, equivalent to sub- sub- + vertere to turn
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These simple facts subvert conventional financial wisdom, which says the only stock exposure you need is in the broad indexes.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026
“The ‘Burbs” sets out to subvert expectations, and that also applies to the way it deals with Samira’s race.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026
Even if, by some miracle, Good’s and Pretti’s killers are eventually brought to justice, their individual consequences do nothing to subvert ICE’s mandate of force wherever it appears.
From Slate • Jan. 29, 2026
But they also must not be misappropriated by those seeking to subvert legitimate law enforcement.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
Mother’s being a midwife would subvert the Medical Establishment, but in order to be a midwife she needed a phone.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
