SUBVERTS Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

subverts

verb

present tense third-person singular of subvert

as in degrades

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

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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 subverts While most women figure skaters are known to sport pristine buns and dance to very predictable classics and pop songs, Alysa Liu subverts the norm. — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 20 Feb. 2026 Although the Western genre is an ever-present influence, Grisebach subverts some of its tropes. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 May 2026 Seen through the lens of the Civil War and its aftermath, the piece subverts every expectation. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 The textured outer elevates even the most basic outfits, while the oxblood hue subtly subverts expectations. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026 The play subverts itself, never allowing an audience to gain a commanding foothill, even at the end when (suffice it to say) the watchers become the watched. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026 Gourault often subverts the extractivist logic of new media technologies and employs open-source investigation in the production of his films. — Farren Fei Yuan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026 With Manhunt, Felker-Martin subverts this convention, creating a post-contagion world in which trans women (and men and nonbinary people) not only exist but tell the story themselves across multiple viewpoint characters. — Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 The razor-sharp slasher, which leans into and subverts genre tropes, also stars Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell, Rose McGowan, Courtney Cox, Jamie Kennedy and David Arquette, among others. — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subverts

Verb

If a component fails or degrades due to radiation exposure, operators can lift the specific ring segment out of the stack for isolated maintenance.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
An owner who once met problems with energy may begin meeting them with dread, a shift that degrades the quality of leadership inside the business.

— Scott Hanson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of degrades

Verb

When the dollar weakens, commodity prices expressed in dollars tend to rise to maintain purchasing power parity for buyers operating in other currencies.

— Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
But the corresponding upheaval is still catastrophic for any surrounding planets, which either get swallowed up by the expanding star, or drift into wider orbits as the star’s gravity weakens—some are flung out from the system entirely.

— Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 1 July 2026

Definition of weakens

Verb

What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn – amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action – gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Arrrives, destroys Femi and hands Main Event Jey the crown.

— Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of destroys

Verb

The delivery was a glimmer of good news in a living situation that deteriorates by the day.

— Rick Jervis, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026

Definition of deteriorates

Verb

Most frustratingly, the secret traitor demeans us, the audience.

— Raven Smith, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
That conflict comes to a head in the middle of campus in the film’s most intense scene, as Alma verbally belittles and demeans her until Maggie snaps and suddenly smacks her mentor.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025

Definition of demeans

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subverting

subverts

subway

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“Subverts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subverts. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of subverts

verb

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