subvert
To overturn from the foundationTo overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.
» Tom's costume subverted the norms of masculinity.
Meaning
3 senses(transitive)To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.
, Book IV, Chapter XVIII This would be to subvert the principles and foundations of all knowledge.
stürzen, umstoßen
сверга́тьsvergátʹ, ниспроверга́тьnisprovergátʹ
(transitive)To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound.
The oppressive regime stays in power only as long as they manage to subvert the will of the people.
korrumpieren, zerrütten
развраща́тьrazvraščátʹ, разруша́тьrazrušátʹ
(transitive)To upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath).
untergraben, unterlaufen
подрыва́тьpodryvátʹ
- to raze to the ground, also figuratively
- cause the downfall of; of rulers
- corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
- destroy property or hinder normal operations
Examples
7 sentencesTom's costume subverted the norms of masculinity.
Alana, stop trying to subvert the company goals.
In art class, we learned about artists who were famous for subverting norms.
We love subverting norms.
However, dams have subverted the ecosystem, bringing drought in monsoon season and high water when it should be dry.
Translations
6 languagesBy meaning 3
By meaning 3
Origin
From Middle English subverten, from Old French subvertir, from Latin subvertō (“to overthrFrom Middle English subverten, from Old French subvertir, from Latin subvertō (“to overthrow”, literally “to underturn, turn from beneath”).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
subverts, subverting, subverted, subvertedSynonyms
83 synonyms- cause the downfall of; of rulers:overthrowoverturnbring down
- corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality:corruptpervertdemoralizedemoralisedebauchdebaseprofanevitiate
- destroy property or hinder normal operations:sabotageunderminecounterminecounteractweaken
Word family
7 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle