as in sabotage
secret efforts to weaken or ruin a political system or government from within
They were arrested on charges of political subversion.
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Recent Examples of subversion
Now Trachtenberg is chasing Prey with an even more radical subversion of the franchise formula: a Predator movie that makes the Predator the protagonist!
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A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
However, Trump's two pending criminal matters—felony election subversion cases in Georgia and at the federal level—are all but certain to be dismissed or at least set aside due to his election victory, since sitting presidents cannot be criminally prosecuted under the law.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Lai, a billionaire media tycoon who had long been a thorn in the side of Beijing, was arrested in August 2020, shortly after the central Chinese government imposed a national security law that criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
The wider question is whether the longstanding principles of the border-free Schengen Area can survive an enduring era of rising migration and populist subversion.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subversion 
A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
However, Trump's two pending criminal matters—felony election subversion cases in Georgia and at the federal level—are all but certain to be dismissed or at least set aside due to his election victory, since sitting presidents cannot be criminally prosecuted under the law.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Lai, a billionaire media tycoon who had long been a thorn in the side of Beijing, was arrested in August 2020, shortly after the central Chinese government imposed a national security law that criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
The wider question is whether the longstanding principles of the border-free Schengen Area can survive an enduring era of rising migration and populist subversion.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversion
Noun
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Abbott will never be the kind of show where the main cast routinely has to fend off mean-spirited romantic sabotage or keep tabs on a man who gives off serious Andrew Tate vibes.Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2025
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Taiwan is investigating whether a Chinese vessel intentionally severed an undersea internet cable to the island, raising concerns about potential sabotage.Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And the plotting didn’t take place in strange, distant areas: Among those charged with acts of brutality or acting as conspirators in the insurrection were residents of Ormond Beach, Titusville, Kissimmee and other familiar, nearby cities.Orlando Sentinel and New York Daily News Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
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Tension between Meta and Trump intensified in early 2021, when the company banned Trump's accounts from its platforms in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.Max Zahn, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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He is also being investigated by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) for treason.George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 31 Dec. 2024
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South Korean presidents do not enjoy immunity from insurrection or treason charges.Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The resignation of one of his most loyal allies blindsided Trudeau and sparked a caucus rebellion.Amanda Coletta The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
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After their victories on the battlefield, American forces prevented a Filipino rebellion through psychological warfare, infiltration, surveillance, torture, extrajudicial executions, and the formation of native militias tasked with suppressing dissent.Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Social unrest will become more frequent, with mass protests and political instability becoming the norm in affected regions.Amir Husain, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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The reason the internet satellite service became so popular after the women's rights protests began in 2022 is because access to Instagram and WhatsApp was restricted due to widespread civil unrest.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Welcome back for another season full of [Alan Cumming voice] deception, backstabbing and treachery!Nick Caruso, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025
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Yet Milady and her treachery have for nearly 200 years always stood out.Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near subversion
Cite this Entry
“Subversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversion. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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