To destroy completely; ruin: "schemes to subvert the liberties of a great community"(Alexander Hamilton).
To undermine the character, morals, or allegiance of; corrupt.
To overthrow completely: "Economic assistance ... must subvert the existing ... feudal or tribal order"(Henry A. Kissinger). See Synonyms at overthrow.
[Middle English subverten, from Old French subvertir, from Latin subvertere : sub-, sub- + vertere, to turn; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots.] sub·vert'er n.