subvert

1 of 2

verb

sub·​vert səb-ˈvərt 

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

subverter

2 of 2

noun

sub·​vert·​er

|tə(r), 

|tə-

plural -s

: one that subverts

Synonyms of subvert

Verb

• degrade
• weaken
• corrupt
• destroy
• humiliate
• debase
• poison
• dilute
• pervert
• deteriorate
• demean
• ruin
• bastardize

Examples of subvert in a Sentence

Verb

They conspired to subvert the government.

trying to subvert the electoral process

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

With the industry-wide chain-of-trust mechanism subverted, the malware was able to run malicious code before Windows was fully loaded and many security defenses were operational. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026

Liu had the idea to subvert his parents’ roles after finding his father’s wedding suit from 1984. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

Too often, disabled actors are only hired for disabled roles, and that’s something Madeley wants to subvert. — Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2026

Now, before another census has been conducted and just four years later, the same political machine that tried to subvert the will of the people once before is now pushing to dismantle the safeguards that make fair elections possible. — Larry Hogan, Baltimore Sun, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subvert

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt

Kids Definition

subvert

verb

sub·​vert səb-ˈvərt 

1

: to overturn or overthrow from the foundation

2

: to undermine the morals, allegiance, or faith of : corrupt

subverter noun