subvert — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   devastateerasewreck

   Examples

   He […] razeth your cities, and subverts your towns.

   , Book IV, Chapter XVIII This would be to subvert the principles and foundations of all knowledge.

2. To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   corruptseducesuborn

   Examples

   The oppressive regime stays in power only as long as they manage to subvert the will of the people.

3. To upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath).

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

1. An advertisement created by subvertising.

   Synonyms

   subvertisement

Verb

1. cause the downfall of; of rulers

   Synonyms

   overthrowoverturnbring down

   Broader terms

   deposeforce out

   Examples

   The Czar was overthrown

   subvert the ruling class

2. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

   Synonyms

   corruptpervertdemoralizedemoralisedebauchdebaseprofanevitiatedepravemisdirect

   Broader terms

   changealtermodify

   Examples

   debauch the young people with wine and women

   Socrates was accused of corrupting young men

   More examples (2)

   Do school counselors subvert young children?

   corrupt the morals

3. destroy property or hinder normal operations

   Synonyms

   sabotageunderminecounterminecounteractweaken

   Broader terms

   disobey

   Examples

   The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war

4. to raze to the ground, also figuratively

   Broader terms

   destroyruin

   Examples

   we must not let our civil liberties be subverted by the current crisis