subverts

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   Third person singular of subvert: weakens or destroys a system, authority or belief, usually through quiet or hidden methods.

   Grammar: Takes an object: he subverts authority.

   Patterns

   • subvert something
   • subvert someone's authority

   The report says the scheme subverts the democratic process.

   Corruption subverts public trust in the police.

   A secret group subverts the government from within.

2. 2verbtransitive

   Third person singular of subvert: deliberately goes against what people expect, especially in a story or work of art.

   Grammar: Takes an object: the film subverts the usual ending.

   Patterns

   • subvert expectations

   The novel subverts the usual romance plot.

   This comedy subverts expectations by letting the villain win.

   The artist subverts familiar images to make a point.

Common combinations

subverts expectations

The film subverts expectations in its final scene.

subverts authority

Humor often subverts authority.

subverts the system

The hacker subverts the system from inside.

subverts a genre

The book subverts the genre of detective fiction.

Synonyms and how they differ

undermines

Undermines is more common and general; it means weakening gradually, while subverts suggests damaging something deeply or secretly.

overturns

Overturns suggests a dramatic, open reversal, whereas subverts is often quiet.

sabotages

Sabotages implies deliberate harm to an action or plan, while subverts targets an established order or belief.

Opposites

Word family

subvert verb

to weaken or turn against something established

subversion noun

the act of undermining a system or authority

subversive adjective

tending to undermine accepted ideas or authority

subverted verb

past form of subvert

Commonly confused: subverts or converts? subverts or perverts?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “subverts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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