subversion

noun

sub·​ver·​sion səb-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce subversion (audio)
-shən
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
subversionary adjective
subversive adjective or noun
subversively adverb
subversiveness noun

Did you know?

Subversion is literally the "turning over" of something. In the 1950s and '60s, many people worried about communist subversion of the U.S. government, though they often saw subversive activities where none existed. Nondemocratic governments often claim that anyone who disagrees with them or joins a demonstration is a subversive. But subversion isn't always quite so serious a matter; when words like weekend, sandwich, job, *and *camping started being used by the French, for example, some of them began claiming that America was subverting their language.

Examples of subversion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over the last year, Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, has uncovered nearly 30 cases of espionage and subversion by Israelis, mostly Jews, recruited to work for Iran. Orly Halpern, Time, 18 June 2025 Hong Kong residents or companies who knowingly publish the gaming app, share it or recommend it to others may be seen as inciting secession and subversion, authorities warned. Sherisse Pham, NPR, 11 June 2025 The argument that Trump has violated the 10th Amendment is a clever subversion of a line of thinking that has traditionally been backed by conservative judges, said Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law. Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 There is no greater subversion of our democracy than for powers outside of our borders to determine elections within them. Abc News, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subversion

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subversion was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subversion. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

subversion

noun
sub·​ver·​sion səb-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce subversion (audio)
: the act of overthrowing : the state of being overthrown
especially : an attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly within the country involved
subversive adjective or noun
subversively adverb

Legal Definition

subversion

noun
sub·​ver·​sion səb-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce subversion (audio)
: a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working from within
also : the crime of committing acts in furtherance of such an attempt
subversionary adjective
subversive adjective or noun
subversively adverb
subversiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on subversion

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