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.

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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 But behind the feminist statement and clever subversion, something else happened. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 23 May 2026 Leaflets, filled with anti-government propaganda, soon emerged as the group’s newest, and boldest, tactic at subversion. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for subversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversion
  1. sabotage
  2. insurrection
  3. treason
  4. rebellion
  5. unrest
  6. treachery
Noun
  • Goldman’s sector rankings suggest information, professional services, insurance, and finance are best positioned for early productivity gains—the same white-collar industries where the sabotage surveys find the highest rates of resistance.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 July 2026
  • Committing sabotage on behalf of the groups will be punishable by up to life imprisonment after Parliament approves the legislation, which the government expects to take place by the end of the week.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of sabotage
Noun
  • The pair took a big swing in 2022 around the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection on January 6.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
  • The violence, described as a failed insurrection by President Cyril Ramaphosa, vandalized more than 160 shopping malls, led to tens of thousands of job losses, and cost the economy roughly $3 billion.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of insurrection
Noun
  • Alfred Dreyfus, whose wrongful 19th century treason conviction exposed deeply rooted anti-Jewish bias in France.
    — Masha Macpherson, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • What constitutes treason is emerging as an early theme of House of the Dragon’s third season.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of treason
Noun
  • Kathleen insists that Lukas was likely incinerated, along with all of the other corpses that piled up in the Down Deep during the rebellion.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • In the film, out September 11, Garfield plays Ploughman, the legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Definition of rebellion
Noun
  • Diesel costs may continue to rise amid ongoing unrest in the strait and skittish oil investors wary of a global shortage, Miller said.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • Telemachus learns from another king, Trojan War–vet Menelaus (Jon Bernthal), that there’s unrest among his subjects as well.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026
Definition of unrest
Noun
  • Guides spoke of the monthlong siege that ended only because of the treachery of a local noble who turned on the sultan and allowed British troops to scale the walls.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
  • This is not treachery but the truest and noblest affection.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of treachery

Browse Nearby Words

subventions
subversion
subversions
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Cite this Entry

“Subversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversion. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on subversion

Nglish: Translation of subversion for Spanish Speakers

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