as in sabotage
secret efforts to weaken or ruin a political system or government from within
They were arrested on charges of political subversion.
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Recent Examples of subversion
The case will now be sent to a specialized panel at a Seoul High Court established under a law passed in December to handle cases involving rebellion, treason and foreign subversion.
—
ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
The subversion of traditional fashion narratives prompts viewers to examine class and aesthetics.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
But apart from how electric her music is, her brand is bad-girl subversion.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Both a mockumentary and a sly subversion of modern pop stardom, the film features comedic performers Rachel Sennott, Kate Berlant, Hailey Benton Gates and Jamie Demetriou along with Rosanna Arquette and Alexander Skarsgård.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subversion
ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
The subversion of traditional fashion narratives prompts viewers to examine class and aesthetics.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
But apart from how electric her music is, her brand is bad-girl subversion.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
Both a mockumentary and a sly subversion of modern pop stardom, the film features comedic performers Rachel Sennott, Kate Berlant, Hailey Benton Gates and Jamie Demetriou along with Rosanna Arquette and Alexander Skarsgård.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversion
Noun
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In the past, this has been reserved for Chinese and Russian companies suspected of espionage or sabotage.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2026
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Her husband, Rafael Ibarra Roque, was arrested for alleged sabotage in 1994 and sentenced to 20 years in Cuban prison.—
Sofia Saric,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the regime, besieged by insurrections across the country, abandoned Manbij.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
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Presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon ruled Yoon’s deployment of troops to parliament and attempt to arrest political opponents, including current President Lee Jae Myung, who was then head of the opposition, were acts of insurrection.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Current law says only those accused of murder or treason can have bail withheld, but this language expands that possibility to other offenses, such as misdemeanors.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
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While Machar is currently on trial for offenses including treason, fighting has intensified in areas seen as his strongholds, where government troops are trying to disperse the rebels.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Enslaved by a tyrannical regime for nearly half a century, everyday Iranians long passionately for their freedom, as the rebellion earlier this year showed.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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In 1999, the Labour government of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair evicted most of the 750 hereditary peers, though 92 were allowed to remain temporarily to avoid an aristocrats’ rebellion.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Back then, neither of us could have foreseen the pandemic, Georgia’s growing political unrest, a war in neighboring Ukraine, or the collapse of several multi-brand retailers, which altogether has slowed down progress for Situationist and Georgian fashion more broadly.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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Cruise lines may adjust itineraries due to security concerns, such as military action or civil unrest, along with other reasons like severe weather.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After Thomas Hickey was hanged that year for mutiny, sedition and treachery, Washington warned that his fate should serve as a caution to all soldiers.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
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With their leader detained, El Mayo’s sicarios, or hit men, declared war against supporters of Chapo’s sons in an attempt to exact vengeance for the treachery and strengthen their own position in the wider organization.—
Daniel DePetris,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversion. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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