subversive 1 of 2

noun

Definition of subversivenext
as in rebel
someone who tries to overthrow or undermine a governing power They were outted as subversives and exiled from the country.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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subversive

2 of 2

adjective

as in violent
seeking to overthrow or undermine a governing power A subversive organization determined to unseat a leader who they believed operated outside the law.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversive
  1. rebel
  2. violent
  3. insurgent
  4. revolutionary
  5. anarchist
Noun
  • In The Rise of Skywalker, the rebels manage to amass an army and take the fight to the evil Emperor Palpatine, who threatened to take over the galaxy with the biggest military force ever seen.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Their nations have also tried to coordinate on policies toward Syria, where rebels recently toppled Bashar al-Assad, the longtime dictator.
    Edward Wong, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • After all, we too are drawn to violent, meaningless spectacle to distract us from matters of substance.
    Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Follow more of our reporting on Deadly Dose Crime One Kansas police force’s approach to fighting fentanyl is driving down violent crime November 30, 2023 6:10 AM Government & Politics Missouri lawmakers push new charges for fentanyl dealers.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
Definition of violent
Noun
  • In Myanmar, where the government regards any aid entering conflict zones as support for insurgents, that can mean international groups operate almost clandestinely to get lifesaving provisions to the local groups that can distribute them.
    Karl Vick, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
  • While the military did not disclose details about the individuals killed, Balochistan has long been a hotspot for insurgent activity.
    John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Definition of insurgent
Adjective
  • The Industrial styles take cues from natural weathering and precision, calling to mind a revolutionary period defined by innovation, growth, and transformation.
    Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Neither of the two phones comes with revolutionary improvements, but OnePlus did, of course, incorporate AI features—including an AI Editor in the Photos app, along with a suite of tools that can both summarize and read pages aloud.
    Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 9 Jan. 2025
Definition of revolutionary
Noun
  • Granted, such dialogue would be much harder with MAGA or leftist crazies, racists, anarchists, misogynists or white supremacists.
    Mike Mcgrew, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Their dilemmas evoke our disregard of the vacancy in Antifa anarchists and our encouragement of gender dysphoria.
    Armond White, National Review, 25 Sep. 2024
Definition of anarchist
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near subversive

subversions

subversive

subversives

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Cite this Entry

“Subversive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversive. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on subversive

Nglish: Translation of subversive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of subversive for Arabic Speakers

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