subversive

[ suhb-vur-siv ]
See synonyms for: subversivesubversives on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. Also sub·ver·sion·ar·y [suhb-vur-zhuh-ner-ee, -shuh-]. /səbˈvɜr ʒəˌnɛr i, -ʃə-/. tending or intending to subvert or overthrow, destroy, or undermine an established or existing system, especially a legally constituted government or a set of beliefs.

noun
  1. a person who adopts subversive principles or policies.

Origin of subversive

1
1635–45; <Latin subvers(us) (past participle of subvertere to subvert) + -ive

Other words for subversive

Other words from subversive

  • sub·ver·sive·ly, adverb
  • sub·ver·siv·ism, sub·ver·sive·ness, noun
  • coun·ter·sub·ver·sive, noun
  • non·sub·ver·sive, adjective
  • non·sub·ver·sive·ly, adverb
  • non·sub·ver·sive·ness, noun
  • self-sub·ver·sive, adjective
  • un·sub·ver·sive, adjective
  • un·sub·ver·sive·ly, adverb
  • un·sub·ver·sive·ness, noun

Words Nearby subversive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use subversive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for subversive

subversive

/ (səbˈvɜːsɪv) /


adjective
  1. liable to subvert or overthrow a government, legally constituted institution, etc

noun
  1. a person engaged in subversive activities, etc

Derived forms of subversive

  • subversively, adverb
  • subversiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012