as in degrades
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
by insisting that she pay me for helping her, she subverted my noble desire to do a good deed without reward
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Recent Examples of subverts
DiCaprio, 50, subverts his Hollywood leading man image by wearing a ratty red robe, unkempt hair and oversized sunglasses as former revolutionary and current stoner Bob Ferguson, who is forced back into action to save himself and his daughter (Chase Infiniti) from paramilitary enforcers.
—
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Advertisement The film largely follows the trajectory of the novel, but changes some details along the way—and adds one new, final twist that subverts the overall message of King's dystopian tale.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
On view through October 18, the exhibition subverts traditional notions of perception, born from Calle’s bold takeover of the museum.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Much of how the show subverts expectation is through its cast — Will Lipton, Zendé Murdock, Axel Ellis, Jesse Golliher, and Jeremy Yun — a group of twenty-somethings hailing from across the country who, since their casting, have become a real band amid an industry rock resurgence.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
At the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, a team of researchers revealed how Gemini can be weaponized via Targeted Promptware Attacks—malware that subverts Gemini through its input prompts.
—PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Advertisement The film largely follows the trajectory of the novel, but changes some details along the way—and adds one new, final twist that subverts the overall message of King's dystopian tale.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
On view through October 18, the exhibition subverts traditional notions of perception, born from Calle’s bold takeover of the museum.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Much of how the show subverts expectation is through its cast — Will Lipton, Zendé Murdock, Axel Ellis, Jesse Golliher, and Jeremy Yun — a group of twenty-somethings hailing from across the country who, since their casting, have become a real band amid an industry rock resurgence.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
At the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, a team of researchers revealed how Gemini can be weaponized via Targeted Promptware Attacks—malware that subverts Gemini through its input prompts.
—PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subverts
Verb
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This process degrades the mirrors' reflectivity and clarity over time, so technicians regularly recoat and polish them to ensure the best precision.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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That performance degrades over time.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Blocking them causes disruption to the cells’ energy-generating mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress, which further weakens cancer.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Even as the storm weakens over Baja California, its tropical moisture will continue to drift north, fueling intense downpours and possible flooding across the Southwest.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Absolute power corrupts absolutely.—
Heidi Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Once in place, the device releases liquid nitrogen, reaching temperatures as low as –170°C to form an ice ball that destroys the tumor cells.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
10 Oct. 2025
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These newly aware companies’ high-speed trading of financial projects destroys the Earth itself, forcing humans to flee to the margins of the solar system.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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To show him who’s boss, Catherine turns around and buys Pac-North, humiliates him by closing it, and forces him back to Grey Sloan.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
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There’s always a moment in which somebody humiliates the villain and now all the love in him is gone.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yes, growth is tempting — launching podcasts, videos, new products — but every expansion dilutes focus.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 Oct. 2025
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The map, which is awaiting Kehoe’s signature, dilutes Kansas City-area voters into three Republican-leaning districts.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There is still plenty of long-term risk, depending on the rate at which Connor’s game deteriorates in his 30s.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s another lazy phrase that demeans the dynamic of sport.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subverts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subverts. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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