subversive

1 of 2

adjective

sub·​ver·​sive |s|iv 

|ēv also |z| or |əv

: tending to subvert : having a tendency to overthrow, upset, or destroy

hypocrisy is a vice subversive of manhood

especially : intended to cause the overthrow of a government by unlawful means

subversively

|ə̇vlē, 

-li

adverb

subversiveness

|ivnə̇s, 

|ēv- also |əv-

noun

plural -es

subversive

2 of 2

noun

"

plural -s

: a person engaged in subversive activities or planning or attempting to subvert legally constituted authority especially by the employment of unconstitutional means

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin subversus (past participle of subvertere) + English -ive

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Rhymes for subversive

• aversive
• coercive
• discursive
• dispersive
• immersive
• recursive
• cursive