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
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Not through sabotage, but through inertia.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
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The sabotage accusation is ridiculous.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
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On the first day of his second term, Trump granted blanket clemency to nearly all individuals convicted of or charged with offenses related to the insurrection.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
3 June 2026
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Prosecutors also revealed private messages to from Tarrio to senior leaders of the Proud Boys taking credit for the insurrection.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 May 2026
Noun
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Avital was generating support for her husband, who had been arrested a year before and charged with treason, and other Soviet dissidents.—
Michael Arkush,
Twin Cities,
26 May 2026
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Over the past year, a group of lawyers recorded 486 state treason and espionage cases brought against Russian scientists, bureaucrats, military figures, and other government employees.—
Anna Nemtsova,
Time,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Coupled with the music, the bites have a sense of rebellion, but this isn’t outright middle finger food.—
Colin Wrenn,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
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As Season 2 unfolds, the two young couples will be tested and separated once again by forces beyond their control, as every clan chooses a side in the rebellion.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Madonna has made music through various calamities that at the time felt world-ending — wars, political unrest, financial collapse — so the terrors of 2026 don’t seem to faze her.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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But its popularity didn’t spread beyond the northern Spanish city until the domestic unrest that had blighted the Basque region dissipated in the 2010s.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
1 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
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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 8 Jun. 2026.
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