subvert

[suhb-vurt]

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verb (used with object)

to overthrow (something established or existing).

to cause the downfall, ruin, or destruction of.

to undermine the principles of; corrupt.

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

Synonyms for subvert

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR subvert ON THESAURUS.COM

1. upset, disrupt, undermine, overturn, sabotage.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for subverted

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

Examples from the Web for subverted

Contemporary Examples of subverted

But in one crucial way she subverted expectations: she worked.
Understanding Diana Vreeland, ‘Empress of Fashion’
Robin Givhan
November 28, 2012
True suspense and deft plotting are subverted in the name of needlessly convoluted conspiracies.
‘The Killing’: How AMC’s Adaptation of ‘Forbrydelsen’ Went Wrong
Jace Lacob
May 14, 2012

Historical Examples of subverted

But did we not say that kingdoms or governments can only be subverted by themselves?
Laws
Plato
And they all swore to assist any one of their number whose kingdom was subverted.
Laws
Plato
Eleven more years were to roll before the Church was subverted.
Henry VIII.
A. F. Pollard
Under such conditions as mentioned, faith and love are subverted.
Epistle Sermons, Vol. II
Martin Luther
Every holy principle of her nature was subverted by this degrading assumption.
Woman, Church & State
Matilda Joslyn Gage

British Dictionary definitions for subverted

subvert

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 subverted

subvert

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.