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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Panelists warned about a future where Christian nationalists subvert democratic systems in order to achieve a larger goal of garnering special power and privilege for Christians. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026 No artist has had more fun subverting the conventions of the track ID than Kieran Hebden, better known as Four Tet. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026 Ireland sought to slow down the match but New Zealand subverted that tactic, forcing turnovers and kicking only sparingly. — ABC News, 18 July 2026 But that does not mean the data were used to subvert the election. — Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for subvert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subvert

Verb

If one component degrades over time, the adjacent layers continue to block the movement of radioactive particles toward the surface.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
The suspects are alleged to have been connected to the spraying of chemicals across 10,180 hectares (about 25,200 acres) of native forest in the city of Uruara to degrade the vegetation before cutting down the trees.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of degrade

Verb

Analysts are less optimistic that the latest intervention could fundamentally alter the broader course of the yen’s weakening.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
If the partner feels disconnected from the hotel brand, the benefit may add utility while weakening the program’s positioning.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

Validation rules, schema standards and completeness checks at the entry point prevent bad master data from corrupting everything downstream.

— Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Most of the other relationships in the movie are hopelessly corrupted or poisoned in some way, as Letty moves between an unloving mother and a vengeful former lover, and others whose closeness is a weapon to be feared.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 July 2026

Definition of corrupt

Verb

Cal Fire continues to battle the Gann Fire, which has burned more than 10,000 acres in Calaveras County and destroyed over a dozen structures.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
At the same time, Bernadette makes her potion and turns into a 60-foot monster, destroying Pasadena.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

Filming a scene in which Isaiah humiliates Cam, Withers asked Wayans to crack jokes about Kionte’s death — the defining event of Withers’ life, and his lowest point.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
The moment is a deliberate callback to the premiere, when Max seized a microphone at a fundraiser and humiliated Anna in public.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026

Definition of humiliate

Verb

In the past farmers have been suspected of deliberately poisoning elephants to prevent them from eating crops.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Historically used in dry cleaning or to degrease metal parts, the chemicals leaked into the base’s wells, poisoning the drinking water.

— WUFT News, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Definition of poison

Verb

Again, no free cash flow means funds need to be raised externally; equity offerings dilute shareholders, while debt offerings increase leverage and interest expense.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
These factors raise the odds that the current push will be slowed, diluted, or forced into hybrid language.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of dilute

Browse Nearby Words

subversives

subvert

subverted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Subvert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subvert. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of subvert

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on subvert

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

invidious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes