Skip to main content

subversiveseeking 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/

Korean meaning: 기존 체제나 제도를 전복하거나 파괴하려는

Korean pronunciation: 섭**버**시브

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

subversive concept
💡 Concept

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

Sign up free to see all content

Etymology, AI images, rhymes, collocations & examples — all in one!

Start for Free

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/səbˈvɜːrsɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/səbˈvɜːsɪv/

🌳Etymology

Prefixsub--
Rootvert
Suffix--ive

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.

Sign up free to see all content

Etymology, AI images, rhymes, collocations & examples — all in one!

Start for Free

🎵Rhyme

assertiveconversive
assertive
conversive

Sign up free to see all content

Etymology, AI images, rhymes, collocations & examples — all in one!

Start for Free

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The teacher was shocked to find subversive messages hidden in the students' memes.

😄 Fun example

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.

Sign up free to see all content

Etymology, AI images, rhymes, collocations & examples — all in one!

Start for Free

📚Related Words

Synonyms

rebelliousseditiousrevolutionarydisruptiveundermining

Antonyms

supportiveloyalconservative

Related

subvertoverthrowinsurgentradicaldissident