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subvert. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
subvert, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
subvert in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
subvert you have here. The definition of the word
subvert will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
subvert, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology 1
From Middle English subverten, from Old French subvertir, from Latin subvertō (“to overthrow”, literally “to underturn, turn from beneath”).
Pronunciation
Verb
subvert (third-person singular simple present subverts, present participle subverting, simple past and past participle subverted)
- (transitive) To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.
1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :He […] razeth your cities, and subverts your towns.
- , Book IV, Chapter XVIII
- This would be to subvert the principles and foundations of all knowledge.
- (transitive) To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound.
A dictator stays in power only as long as he manages to subvert the will of his people.
- (transitive) To upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath).
Derived terms
Translations
to upturn convention by undermining it
Etymology 2
Back-formation from subvertising, by analogy with advert.
Pronunciation
Noun
subvert (plural subverts)
- An advertisement created by subvertising.
Synonyms
Translations
advertisement created by subvertising