SUBVERT Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

subvert

verb

səb-ˈvərt

Definition of subvert

as in to degrade

to lower in character, dignity, or quality by insisting that she pay me for helping her, she subverted my noble desire to do a good deed without reward

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of subvert According to tax authorities, by inappropriately avoiding gains, investors are subverting the intention of the rules. — Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 There’s a guilty pleasure in subverting a cheesy tourist tee. — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 There’s just something about Pattinson’s intensity and willingness to subvert his movie star image that seems to be perfectly aligned with A24’s hip and transgressive brand. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 27 Sep. 2026 And yet the movie’s central storyline hints at writer-director Bassam Tariq’s inclination to subvert his own brooding-antihero saga, allowing room for unpredictability and the slightest whiff of impish irreverence. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subvert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subvert

Verb

At rates faster than the cap, the internet degrades and is no longer usable.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Living with neck and back pain from stress, tension, poor posture and other causes can seriously degrade your quality of life, but Therabody's latest innovation can help.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of degrade

Verb

Conditions were expected to improve Saturday afternoon as winds weakened, with fair and dry weather forecast for the remainder of the weekend.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
As trust in America weakens further, other wealthy nations will make the same calculation.

— Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

The original 1971 experiment was conducted by psychology professor Philip Zimbardo, who arbitrarily split volunteers into two groups—inmates and guards—and observed how power corrupted them.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Rousseau argued that societies were happiest before agriculture and metal production corrupted them.

— Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Verb

Cities outside Paris have been hit hard by the unrest, including Limoges where a fire nearly destroyed the 19th-century city hall.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Animal diseases also threaten our economy and food system, destroying more than 20% of global livestock production each year.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

At the same time, the Daily Beast reported on the Fielder fandom, with devotees praising his voice, competence and willingness to debase himself for the camera.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
In my opinion, the president and his incompetent, corrupt acolytes have debased the office and dragged the good name of America through the mud.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of debase

Verb

Its death, poisoned by anti-freeze in April 2020 during Spain’s COVID confinement, sparks on screen and real-life the first criminal investigation in Spain and Europe for an animal’s slaughter.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Above all, Flanagan understands how even a mother’s love can be poisoned by fear when Carrie uses her newfound powers to wrest control of the household from her mother.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of poison

Verb

The plan, earlier reported by Semafor, will allow the company to issue new stock — for acquisitions, to lure top AI talent, and to pay for chips — without diluting Mark Zuckerberg’s control.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Even where mold has been detected, brewing dilutes the concentration and lowers any health risk.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of dilute

Browse Nearby Words

subversives

subvert

subverted

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“Subvert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subvert. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of subvert

verb

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