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definitions

subvert

[ suhb-vurt ]
/ səbˈvɜrt /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR subvert ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to overthrow (something established or existing).
to cause the downfall, ruin, or destruction of.
to undermine the principles of; corrupt.

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RELATED WORDS

pervert, debase, supersede, suppress, poison, vitiate, overthrow, corrupt, topple, overturn, sabotage, undermine, depress, capsize, reverse, wreck, upset, ruin, tumble, invalidate

Nearby words

  1. subvaginal,
  2. subvene,
  3. subvention,
  4. subversion,
  5. subversive,
  6. subviral,
  7. subvirus,
  8. subvisible,
  9. subvocal,
  10. subvocal speech

Origin of subvert

1325–75; Middle English subverten < Latin subvertere to overthrow, equivalent to sub- sub- + vertere to turn
Related formssub·vert·er, nounun·sub·vert·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for subvert

British Dictionary definitions for subvert

subvert

/ (səbˈvɜːt) /

verb (tr)

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
Derived Formssubverter, noun

Word Origin for subvert

C14: from Latin subvertere to overturn, from sub- from below + vertere to turn
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 subvert

subvert

v.

late 14c., "to raze, destroy, overthrow," from Middle French subvertir, from Latin subvertere, from sub "under" (see sub-) + vertere "to turn" (see versus). Related: Subverted; subverting.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper