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
There’s also been a little bit of leaning into it on some ends in entertainment, and an inversion or subversion of it in other ends.
—
Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 May 2026
How would the subversion of November’s election take place?
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Those who’ve been targeted and their allies view the practice as both a pressure tactic in which reputational sabotage is weaponized, as well as a subversion of the legal process itself.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
How would subversion of November’s election take place?
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subversion
Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 May 2026
How would the subversion of November’s election take place?
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Those who’ve been targeted and their allies view the practice as both a pressure tactic in which reputational sabotage is weaponized, as well as a subversion of the legal process itself.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
How would subversion of November’s election take place?
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversion
Noun
-
Britain has also accused Russia of mounting a campaign of sabotage and misinformation designed to destabilize European nations that support Ukraine.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
-
Your intuition is sharp, but so is your capacity to self-sabotage.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi led the insurrection after weeks of widespread national protests.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Penn, known for his strong political convictions, previously attended a public hearing of the House select committee investigating the deadly 2021 insurrection.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
War complicates the domestic front, turning any dissent into treason.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
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On this day in 1964, eight activist leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment for treason, sabotage, and conspiracy against South Africa’s apartheid government.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The property tax rebellion is part of a broader push on both the right and left to give tax exemptions to seniors, workers who rely on tips, and the bottom 50% of the country to address cost-of-living pressures.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
House Democrats are betting that a future Speaker Hakeem Jeffries wouldn’t struggle with the type of aisle-crossing rebellion that’s often vexed current Speaker Mike Johnson.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
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With one eye on opportunities tied to staggering technological advances, massive investments and soaring equity markets, and the other on inflation, global unrest and rising risks, businesses are choosing to build while the building is good.—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
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He was initially paid to post anti-Islam posters and graffiti in Muslim neighborhoods of London, an apparent attempt to stoke unrest.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Peacock’s adventures in treachery The Traitors was the top dog, scoring five prizes including Best Competition Series and Best Host for Alan Cumming.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
-
Upon learning of Ava’s treachery, Deborah HOWLS.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversion. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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