subversion

noun

Definition of subversionnext
as in sabotage
secret efforts to weaken or ruin a political system or government from within They were arrested on charges of political subversion.

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of subversion On most, delicate jewels were appliquéd to industrial Velcro to provide a point of subversion –– a pre-requisite in every Prada collection. — Scarlett Conlon, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 This Friday, the leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance who organized those vigils — Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho — will be sentenced for incitement to subversion. — Rowena He, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026 Part bildungsroman, part romance, Doran’s fizzy yet intelligent interpretation is as self-assured as its protagonist, with anachronistic flourishes that pay homage to Sybylla’s spirit of subversion. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026 Mann delivers a fascinating subversion of the genre, anchored by a riveting Caan performance and some of the most specific set design and camerawork of the director’s career. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversion
  1. sabotage
  2. insurrection
  3. treason
  4. rebellion
  5. unrest
Noun
  • Neither seems ready to compromise at a time when Poland faces growing security threats – with the war across the border in Ukraine, and sabotage attacks inside Poland that Tusk has attributed to Russia.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But the focus on maximizing data connectivity and Internet traffic has given way to more complex planning that also accounts for international relations and the growing risk of adversaries carrying out surveillance or sabotage of cables.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of sabotage
Noun
  • By then, graffiti had been scrubbed from the central monument that pays tribute to the French Republic, including its tradition of insurrection.
    — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • My assumption that the guest speakers’ anti-Communist insurrection might resonate with today’s youth and their antisystem rebellion proved to be mistaken.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of insurrection
Noun
  • After days of torture, Fawkes named his coconspirators; those who survived capture were executed for treason.
    — Lucia Barnum, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Call it peace or call it treason, call it love or call it reason.
    — Madeline ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of treason
Noun
  • As the competition unfolds, Haymitch risks everything to take down the Games from within the arena — setting in motion the rebellion that will change Panem forever.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026
  • My assumption that the guest speakers’ anti-Communist insurrection might resonate with today’s youth and their antisystem rebellion proved to be mistaken.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebellion
Noun
  • The unrest began after high school students took to the streets last month to denounce poor conditions and resources at their campuses.
    — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Those clashes came as social unrest has set Europe's streets ablaze from France and Italy to Spain and Portugal, fueled by youth frustration over the state of public education, social services and the high cost of housing.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrest

Browse Nearby Words

subventions
subversion
subversions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversion. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulsome

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All