subvert

verb

sub·​vert səb-ˈvərt 

subverted; subverting; subverts

transitive verb

1

: to overturn or overthrow from the foundation : ruin

2

: to pervert or corrupt by an undermining of morals, allegiance, or faith

subverter noun

Synonyms

• abase
• bastardize
• canker
• cheapen
• corrupt
• debase
• debauch
• degrade
• demean
• demoralize
• deprave
• deteriorate
• lessen
• pervert
• poison
• profane
• prostitute
• vitiate
• warp

Examples of subvert in a Sentence

They conspired to subvert the government.

trying to subvert the electoral process

Recent Examples on the Web

This time around, the writers subvert the whole concept of having an In Memorian section at all. —Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025

Romance writers are excellent at combining tropes, of subverting the traditional view of a trope, and applying tropes to an infinite number of new settings, characters, and conflicts. —Denise Williams, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025

Barnes has continued reinventing Of Montreal over the past two decades, steadily releasing new albums that subvert expectations, most recently 2024’s Lady on the Cusp. —Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025

The United States is still a democracy, however imperfect, with a decentralized electoral system that is not easy to fully subvert. —Lawrence Norden, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French subvertir, from Latin subvertere, literally, to turn from beneath, from sub- + vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subvert

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt

Kids Definition

subvert

verb

sub·​vert səb-ˈvərt 

1

: to overturn or overthrow from the foundation

2

: to undermine the morals, allegiance, or faith of : corrupt

subverter noun