as in sabotage
secret efforts to weaken or ruin a political system or government from within
They were arrested on charges of political subversion.
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Recent Examples of subversion
The film’s first half-hour chronicles leftist subversion with documentary precision, as Pat and company bomb campaign headquarters and attempt to take down California’s power grid.
—
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
But Quinn is perhaps both the purest distillation and subversion of the murderous bisexual stereotype.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
The authoritarian anarcho-tyranny we are mired in today is the consequence of the Left's subversion.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The designers pushing the field forward today—whether through tailoring, minimalism or subtle subversion—are all, in some way, working in conversation with his vision.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subversion
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
But Quinn is perhaps both the purest distillation and subversion of the murderous bisexual stereotype.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
The authoritarian anarcho-tyranny we are mired in today is the consequence of the Left's subversion.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The designers pushing the field forward today—whether through tailoring, minimalism or subtle subversion—are all, in some way, working in conversation with his vision.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversion
Noun
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Others, like Ghiath Dalla, a brigadier general whose forces were involved in violent repression of protests, is among several former officers plotting sabotage from Lebanon, according to ex-military commanders, who also shared text message exchanges with The Times.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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This ranges from, in some cases, arson, in some cases attempted sabotage.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There has to be an insurrection in order for him to be allowed to invoke it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Oct. 2025
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First passed in 1792, the federal law gives presidents the power to deploy the military domestically under certain conditions, such as civil disorder, insurrection and armed rebellion.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some of the coup leaders were eventually convicted of treason and executed, and the names of Odinga and his father came up during interrogations of some suspects.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
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Unlike Smith, Leyba-Gonzalez was not charged with murder, which is the only crime other than treason that allows Indiana judges to hold defendants without bail.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In small towns and farm communities across Illinois, a quiet rebellion is taking shape.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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The daughter of a severely disapproving dentist (Ulrich Tukur) who witnessed World War II from the heart of Germany and still seems to think that women’s lib is the worst thing that’s ever happened to his country, Vera is a perfect vessel for rebellion.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Duffy did not cite specific intelligence, but his remarks echoed broader administration warnings about potential unrest tied to the protests this Saturday.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Missouri is chasing a rebound to keep its SEC title hopes alive, while Auburn and head coach Hugh Freeze are trying to quiet growing unrest.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And when the surviving crew interrogates the android Ash about his treachery, the book has him pretty much spill the space beans.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
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When does compromise become treachery or defeat?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversion. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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