SUBVERT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does subvert mean? 

• SUBVERT (verb)
  The verb SUBVERT has 4 senses:

1. cause the downfall of; of rulers

2. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

3. destroy property or hinder normal operations

4. destroy completely

  Familiarity information: SUBVERT used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUBVERT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they subvert    ... he / she / it subverts   
Past simple: subverted   
Past participle: subverted   
-ing form: subverting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause the downfall of; of rulers

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

bring down; overthrow; overturn; subvert

Context example:

subvert the ruling class

Hypernyms (to "subvert" is one way to...):

depose; force out (force to leave (an office))

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "subvert"):

revolutionize (overthrow by a revolution, of governments)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

subversion (the act of subverting; as overthrowing or destroying a legally constituted government)

subversive (in opposition to a civil authority or government)

subverter (a radical supporter of political or social revolution)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

corrupt; debase; debauch; demoralise; demoralize; deprave; misdirect; pervert; profane; subvert; vitiate

Context example:

corrupt the morals

Hypernyms (to "subvert" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "subvert"):

carnalise; carnalize; sensualise; sensualize (debase through carnal gratification)

infect (corrupt with ideas or an ideology)

lead astray; lead off (teach immoral behavior to)

poison (spoil as if by poison)

bastardise; bastardize (change something so that its value declines; for example, art forms)

suborn (incite to commit a crime or an evil deed)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

subversion (destroying someone's (or some group's) honesty or loyalty; undermining moral integrity)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Destroy property or hinder normal operations

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

counteract; countermine; sabotage; subvert; undermine; weaken

Context example:

The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war

Hypernyms (to "subvert" is one way to...):

disobey (refuse to go along with; refuse to follow; be disobedient)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "subvert"):

derail (cause to run off the tracks)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Destroy completely

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

we must not let our civil liberties be subverted by the current crisis

Hypernyms (to "subvert" is one way to...):

destroy; ruin (destroy completely; damage irreparably)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

subversion (the act of subverting; as overthrowing or destroying a legally constituted government)