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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subversion
With a verdict still weeks away, the hearing on Friday drew fewer people than rulings and sentencings in recent cases such as the sedition trial against two Stand News journalists or the subversion trial against 47 pro-democracy politicians and activists.
—
Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2025
Such subversions can be seen as the story pivots from one twist to another and one surprise to the next.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
Hamas has obscured its subversion of aid by intimidating aid workers, civilians, and media outlets.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 29 July 2025
The appropriate response to a subversion of desirable and innate traits in us is not to revolt and flip the table.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subversion
Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2025
Such subversions can be seen as the story pivots from one twist to another and one surprise to the next.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
Hamas has obscured its subversion of aid by intimidating aid workers, civilians, and media outlets.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 29 July 2025
The appropriate response to a subversion of desirable and innate traits in us is not to revolt and flip the table.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversion
Noun
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The members of the group will employ several different methods of espionage like assassinations and sabotage on the journey to uncover Kage-sama’s true identity.—
George Yang,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
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Trump's first term was plagued by internal sabotage from bureaucrats and agency officers who fancied themselves a coequal branch of government.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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On his first day back in office, Trump pardoned every person charged or convicted for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection — the last time his supporters decided to fight for the right of the country.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
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At the same time, Bradley grapples with the disgrace of her Season 3 actions (hiding her brother’s role in the January 6 insurrection) while investigating a chemical plant leak covered up by UBA, enlisting Chip (Mark Duplass) to help her.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The main opposition party, CHADEMA, was disqualified in April and its leader Tundu Lissu remains in custody after he was charged with treason for demanding electoral reforms.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Ksenia Mironova copes with the absence of her fiancé, also a journalist, who is in prison on charges of treason.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As Pietro becomes more impatient with Gatti, hearing about Felice’s losing streak in his nightly phone calls home, Felice is prompted into his first, necessary act of rebellion against his father’s loving but stifling authority.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
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Although the political protests in Los Angeles included some violence, the judge reasoned that the violence did not rise to a rebellion and did not prevent a traditional police response.—
Luke William Hunt,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The last time a president bypassed a state’s governor in sending the National Guard to quell civil unrest was in Selma, Alabama, in 1965.—
Luke William Hunt,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
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Since the summer of unrest over the death of George Floyd, the NFL has allowed teams to have performers sing the song, known as the Black national anthem.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When does compromise become treachery or defeat?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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Could Juno be behind this treachery, as payback for David destroying her spy corporation and for changing his oldest daughter into a killer?—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversion. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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