subvert

verb

sub·​vert səb-ˈvərt How to pronounce subvert (audio)
subverted; subverting; subverts

transitive verb

1
: to overturn or overthrow from the foundation : ruin
2
: to pervert or corrupt by an undermining of morals, allegiance, or faith
subverter noun

Examples of subvert in a Sentence

They conspired to subvert the government. trying to subvert the electoral process
Recent Examples on the Web Oat flour is the Phoebe Waller-Bridge of gluten-free flours: easy to love, endlessly adaptable, and subverting old ideas of what feels possible. Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appétit, 15 Mar. 2024 This adaptation demands re-conceiving large chunks of plot from the ground-up while retaining Liu’s themes, not to mention visualizing concepts with less precedent onscreen than the fantasy tropes Martin deployed and subverted. Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 Her goal on The Collective, as was her goal with Sonic Youth, is to subvert listeners’ expectations. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 More endearing than Scarlett O’Hara, less thorny than Erin Brockovich, Rose is a Juliet-like figure in love with love who subverts the plot, surviving tragedy instead of succumbing to it. Susan Dominus, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 But the franchise also gets very meta in pivotal moments, using ingrained memories of the original to subvert player expectations. Andrew Webster, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024 He and 18 of his allies were charged last August with attempting to subvert the result of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia; four defendants have already pleaded guilty. Richard Fausset, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The conceit is familiar: A handful of recent films (and TV shows) have given audiences royal women eagerly subverting the tropes of medieval romances. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Just the latest in Putin’s long campaign to subvert democracy and the rule of law. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subvert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French subvertir, from Latin subvertere, literally, to turn from beneath, from sub- + vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near subvert

Cite this Entry

“Subvert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subvert. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

subvert

verb
sub·​vert səb-ˈvərt How to pronounce subvert (audio)
1
: to overturn or overthrow from the foundation
2
: to undermine the morals, allegiance, or faith of : corrupt
subverter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on subvert

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