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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But the 1993 prehistory-meets-futuristic technology thriller was already edging into darker territory as dazzling scientific innovation collided with corporate greed, hubris and industrial sabotage, and awe made way for fear.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
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When proceedings began in October 1963, 10 defendants faced more than 190 charges of sabotage.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 June 2026
Noun
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And Washington, of course, had nothing to do with instigating or inciting the insurrection.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
Animals serve as allies, guides, objects of cruelty and aggression, and as striking metaphors for power, imperialism, and insurrection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Noun
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To punish rebels for their treason, Parliament passed the Restraining Act of 1775, banning New Englanders from fishing on the Atlantic Ocean.—
Christopher Magra,
The Conversation,
2 June 2026
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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
Noun
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View gallery - 5 images There's a rebellion underway against the always-on, infinitely-scrollable nature of the smartphone.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 June 2026
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Within weeks, the new hypernationalist government mounted an effort to suppress the Russian language in the Donbas, provoking a rebellion among ethnically Russian Ukrainians.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The Next Generation Action Network, a social justice group supporting Anthony, has compared him to Kyle Rittenhouse, the teen acquitted of all charges in 2021 for killing two people during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Police, familiar with unrest in the city, were on standby with cordons of armored cars, which were quickly pelted with projectiles by the rioters.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
9 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 15 Jun. 2026.
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