as in rebel
someone who tries to overthrow or undermine a governing power
They were outted as subversives and exiled from the country.
Related Words
Relevance
as in violent
seeking to overthrow or undermine a governing power
A subversive organization determined to unseat a leader who they believed operated outside the law.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 subversive
Anderson Tepper, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
André's chaotic talk show, The Eric Andre Show (2012–2023), established the actor and comedian as a true subversive, which makes his turns in projects such as The Lion King (2019) and Trolls Band Together (2023) that much more amusing.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
On the wrist, the Lee Ufan version felt as slim and architectural as any Octo Finissimo, with a subversive difference.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Oasis in 1996 felt subversive in its naked desire to be rock stars.
—Alex Edelman, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Known for its sexy, subversive storylines and dialogue, the movie was a standout among the teen comedies and dramas of the '90s, many of which were based on literary works.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Liu’s work often merges corsetry, delicate smocking, and floral motifs with a romantic yet subversive edge.
—Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Prada under Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons is a perfect example — their partnership continues to feel both consistent and surprising, evolving the brand’s intellectual edge and subversive minimalism season after season.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
The Blazer For a subversive twist on office wear, with a hint of 90s attitude, try adding a leather blazer to your roster this fall.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025
Which isn’t to say that this is a subversive rewrite of the text.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
To dissidents, she has been seen as a hero putting her life on the line; to Modi’s supporters, as a dangerous subversive who is anti-national and anti-Hindu.
—Anderson Tepper, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
André's chaotic talk show, The Eric Andre Show (2012–2023), established the actor and comedian as a true subversive, which makes his turns in projects such as The Lion King (2019) and Trolls Band Together (2023) that much more amusing.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Still, these issues fade into the background as you’re presented with some of the most inventive and subversive artistic creations of 2025.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
On the wrist, the Lee Ufan version felt as slim and architectural as any Octo Finissimo, with a subversive difference.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Oasis in 1996 felt subversive in its naked desire to be rock stars.
—Alex Edelman, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Known for its sexy, subversive storylines and dialogue, the movie was a standout among the teen comedies and dramas of the '90s, many of which were based on literary works.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Liu’s work often merges corsetry, delicate smocking, and floral motifs with a romantic yet subversive edge.
—Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Prada under Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons is a perfect example — their partnership continues to feel both consistent and surprising, evolving the brand’s intellectual edge and subversive minimalism season after season.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
The Blazer For a subversive twist on office wear, with a hint of 90s attitude, try adding a leather blazer to your roster this fall.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025
Which isn’t to say that this is a subversive rewrite of the text.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversive
Noun
-
But in a region being fought over by a patchwork of anti-junta rebel groups, the military and pro-military militia – and given the widespread distrust of the Rohingya – information on where exactly his family are, or what will become of them, has not been forthcoming.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
By the finale, the galactic chessboard is crowded with players—emperors, rebels, prophets, impostors—but as Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) warned in the very first episode, the center cannot hold.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That act lowered the age at which children who are accused of certain violent crimes can be tried as adults from 16 to 14.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Just this morning, DHS took violent offenders off the streets with arrests for assault, DUI, and felony stalking.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Although some analysts have suggested Starmer may quietly be pleased with the resignation of his main rival and potential successor, the toppling of Rayner caps off what has been a dreadful summer for Labour, in which the party has lost more ground in the polls to the insurgent Reform UK.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
-
This might enable a mission which, for example, a Viper is located covertly next to a safe house known to be used by insurgents.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Harlem’s Fashion Row is doing revolutionary work within an industry that often has little to no regard for Black designers beyond lip service.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
-
In revolutionary Russia, a group of forward-thinking philosophers offered an alternative to both futurism and communism.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Throughout the late nineteenth century and much of the twentieth, Jewish socialists, liberals, anarchists, and Zionists all saw their respective political programs as offering a remedy for anti-Semitism.—
Daniel May,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
There’s a character who is an anarchist, and anarchism becomes a thread through the whole book.—
Michael Schaub,
Oc Register,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subversive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share