subversive — seeking or intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or institution
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: seeking or intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or institution
Pronunciation (IPA): /səbˈvɜːrsɪv/
Example Sentences
- The teacher was shocked to find subversive messages hidden in the students' memes.
- His subversive sense of humor made even the most serious meetings entertaining.
- The artist's subversive paintings challenged traditional social norms.
subversive
ADJECTIVE[/səbˈvɜːrsɪv/]
seeking or intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or institution
a determined employee secretly passes hidden documents to a journalist while executives discuss at the conference table. The employee glances nervously while sliding the papers under the table. The leaked documents contain evidence that will expose the company's corrupt practices. The journalist quietly tucks the papers into a briefcase as other employees work normally in the background. Several executives remain unaware that their authority is being challenged from within. someone seeking to undermine and overthrow an established system through secretive action
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin subvertere, meaning 'to overturn from below' or 'to overthrow.' The word evolved to describe actions that undermine or destabilize established systems or authority.
Breakdown
sub- (under/from below) + vert- (to turn) + -ive (adjective suffix meaning 'having the quality of')
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher was shocked to find subversive messages hidden in the students' memes.”
“His subversive sense of humor made even the most serious meetings entertaining.”
“The artist's subversive paintings challenged traditional social norms.”
“During the Cold War, many books were banned for their allegedly subversive content.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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