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
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Recent Examples of subvert
His writing challenges and subverts the negative stereotypes of African American males often portrayed in contemporary media, diving into their complexities through a blend of humor and poignant coming-of-age narratives.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
Authoritarian movements commonly embrace the notion that their country’s institutions have been subverted by enemies; autocratic leaders including Erdogan, Orban, and Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro routinely push such claims.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
At the same time, nations are engaging in cross-border efforts to use disinformation and other forms of propaganda to subvert elections, while some technology, media, and political leaders aid the spread of lies and conspiracy theories.
—New Atlas, 28 Jan. 2025
To subvert whiteness with Blackness as a cultural and psychological lingua franca cannot possibly undo the wounds that molded modern Blackness in the first place, a diasporic concern that places even the most joyous liberation and self-expression in an especially morose context.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subvert
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025
Authoritarian movements commonly embrace the notion that their country’s institutions have been subverted by enemies; autocratic leaders including Erdogan, Orban, and Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro routinely push such claims.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
At the same time, nations are engaging in cross-border efforts to use disinformation and other forms of propaganda to subvert elections, while some technology, media, and political leaders aid the spread of lies and conspiracy theories.
—New Atlas, 28 Jan. 2025
To subvert whiteness with Blackness as a cultural and psychological lingua franca cannot possibly undo the wounds that molded modern Blackness in the first place, a diasporic concern that places even the most joyous liberation and self-expression in an especially morose context.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subvert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subvert
Verb
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The conspiratorial right aims to degrade the state’s ability to collect taxes, conduct diplomacy, prosecute violations of civil rights, and otherwise carry out its duties.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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In sum, proper use of AI should be encouraged, as opposed to this case where the D grade appeared to degrade its use.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Fed officials are closely monitoring inflation and the labor market for signs of a potentially weakening economy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
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But the Trump administration's new cuts further weaken a banking watchdog that has been sounding the alarm for years about its decreasing ability to prevent future banking crises.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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It has been corrupted over time into something like a generalized celebration of Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and the other 43 highly varied men who preceded them in holding the nation’s highest office.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Feb. 2025
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If green ever corrupted itself with red, both would end up the same brown mud.—
Jackson Arn,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Prominent right-wing Israeli politicians called to destroy Israel's enemies in response.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2025
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Baldoni countersued, accusing Lively, Reynolds and Sloane of seeking to destroy his career.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In one sentence, Hegseth turned a conflict, in which Moscow had been roundly diminished and humiliated for three years, into the chaotic re-ordering of continental security, in which Moscow may somehow dominate to its west.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
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Zachary Basu Feb 15, 2025 - Politics & Policy Trump strangles Europe President Trump stunned, strangled and humiliated Europe — leaving America's closest continental ally dazed and dumbfounded.—
Courtenay Brown,
Axios,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Only by allowing himself to be debased can this man actually come to understand God.—
Kevin Lincoln,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
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His illuminating backstage account of cable news describes thoughtful journalists debasing themselves in their scramble to retain straying viewers.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Lula was to be poisoned, while Moraes was to be shot by special forces, according to the indictment.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
19 Feb. 2025
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There’s enough lawbreaking to keep Lou and Henry busy trying to work out who might have poisoned an insufferable tech bro or kidnapped a talentless aspiring actress.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Powell recommends adding two to three tablespoons of shampoo to an empty bottle that has a nozzle and diluting it with water.—
Annie Blay,
Allure,
13 Feb. 2025
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Rinse your mouth with tap water after drinking, and reduce the amount of lemon in your drink or dilute it with water. — MELISSA NIEVES, LND, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD Summary Lemons are full of beneficial nutrients, especially vitamin C.—
Melissa Nieves,
Verywell Health,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subvert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subvert. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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