subversion

noun

sub·​ver·​sion səb-ˈvər-zhən 

-shən

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

subversionary

səb-ˈvər-zhə-ˌner-ē 

-shə-

adjective

subversive

səb-ˈvər-siv 

-ziv

adjective or noun

subversively adverb

subversiveness noun

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.

Examples of subversion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How would the subversion of November’s election take place? —Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 1 May 2026

Those who’ve been targeted and their allies view the practice as both a pressure tactic in which reputational sabotage is weaponized, as well as a subversion of the legal process itself. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026

From the attic above their apartment, their Stasi man listens for evidence of subversion. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026

How would subversion of November’s election take place? —Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing subversion

• anti-subversion

Rhymes for subversion

• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• dispersion
• diversion
• eversion
• excursion
• immersion
• incursion
• inversion
• perversion
• recursion

Kids Definition

subversion

noun

sub·​ver·​sion səb-ˈvər-zhən 

: the act of overthrowing : the state of being overthrown

especially : an attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly within the country involved

subversive

-ˈvər-siv 

-ziv

adjective or noun

subversively adverb

Legal Definition

subversion

noun

sub·​ver·​sion səb-ˈvər-zhən 

: 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

subversionary

-zhə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

subversive

-ˈvər-siv 

adjective or noun

subversively adverb

subversiveness noun