subversion

sub·ver·sion

noun \səb-ˈvər-zhən, -shən\

Definition of SUBVERSION

1

: the act of subverting : the state of being subverted; especially : a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly from within

2

obsolete : a cause of overthrow or destruction

— sub·ver·sion·ary \-zhə-ˌner-ē, -shə-\ adjective

— sub·ver·sive \-ˈvər-siv, -ziv\ adjective or noun

— sub·ver·sive·ly adverb

— sub·ver·sive·ness noun

Origin of SUBVERSION

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin subversion-, subversio, from Latin subvertere

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with SUBVERSION

aspersion, aversion, coercion, conversion, dispersion, diversion, emersion, eversion, excursion, immersion, incursion, inversion, perversion, recursion, reversion, submersion