subversion

noun sub·ver·sion \ səb-ˈvər-zhən , -shən \

|Updated on: 29 Jun 2018

Definition of subversion

1 : the act of subverting : the state of being subverted; especially : a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly from within

2 obsolete : a cause of overthrow or destruction

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subversionary

play \səb-ˈvər-zhə-ˌner-ē, -shə-\ adjective

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subversive

play \səb-ˈvər-siv, -ziv\ adjective or noun

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subversively

adverb

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subversiveness

noun

See subversion defined for kids

Recent Examples of subversion from the Web

Many of its tools of subversion date to the early days of the Absurdists and the mind games of Pirandello and Ionesco, while others — more technologically sophisticated — are staples of the contemporary European avant-garde.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: Theater as Sabotage in the Dazzling ‘Fairview’," 17 June 2018
Counter-subversion—was assigned to for- mulate a debriefing strategy, led by her immediate superior, Brig- adier Harker.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "The geopolitics of the afterlife get messy in the new sci-fi spy novel Summerland," 17 June 2018
Last year, Plaza dipped further into producing, and her penchant for subversion found a new outlet.

— nojan aminosharei, Marie Claire, "Aubrey Plaza Was Never April Ludgate," 13 June 2018
He was sentenced in April 2016 to 10 years in prison on charges of espionage and subversion.

— Washington Post, "Pompeo: North Korea can have ‘richly deserved’ opportunities in return for peace," 9 May 2018
And while a skate brand crashing a fashion award show seems like subversion, there might not be a better brand than Supreme for the CFDA to hold up as a symbol of fashion’s changing landscape.

— cam wolf, GQ, "Supreme Just Won the Biggest Award in Menswear," 5 June 2018
Even the Nixon administration rationalized surveillance of domestic political opponents, including antiwar and civil rights leaders, by citing worries about potential covert Soviet subversion.

— charlie savage, New York Times, "Trump and His Lawyers Embrace a Vision of Vast Executive Power," 4 June 2018
The colors on the show’s palette now include alternating resignation, rage, supplication and subversion; Elisabeth Moss continues to excel, but glimpses of the world beyond her have grown yet more intriguing, too.

— daniel d'addario, Time, "Best TV Shows of 2018 So Far," 30 May 2018
But the United States worries about China’s ambitions in South Asia, Russia’s growing sphere of influence and Iran’s subversion.

— asfandyar mir, Washington Post, "Afghanistan’s road to peace won’t be an easy one," 30 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subversion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Subversion is literally the "turning over" of something. In the 1950s and '60s, many people worried about communist subversion of the U.S. government, though they often saw subversive activities where none existed. Nondemocratic governments often claim that anyone who disagrees with them or joins a demonstration is a subversive. But subversion isn't always quite so serious a matter; when words like weekend, sandwich, job, *and *camping started being used by the French, for example, some of them began claiming that America was subverting their language.

Origin and Etymology of subversion

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin subversion-, subversio, from Latin subvertere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Law Dictionary

subversion

noun sub·ver·sion \ səb-ˈvər-zhən \

legal Definition of subversion

: a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working from within; also : the crime of committing acts in furtherance of such an attempt

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