subvert Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb cause the downfall of; of rulers
    bring down; overturn; overthrow.
    • The Czar was overthrown
    • subvert the ruling class
  2. verb corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
    pervert; debase; profane; misdirect; debauch; deprave; vitiate; corrupt; demoralise; demoralize.
    • debauch the young people with wine and women
    • Socrates was accused of corrupting young men
    • Do school counselors subvert young children?
    • corrupt the morals
  3. verb destroy property or hinder normal operations
    countermine; counteract; sabotage; undermine; weaken.
    • The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war
  4. verb destroy completely
    • we must not let our civil liberties be subverted by the current crisis

WordNet

Sub*vert" transitive verb
Etymology
L. subvertere, subversum; sub under + vertere to turn: cf. F. subvertir. See Verse.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Subverted; present participle & verbal noun Subverting
Definitions
  1. To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.
    These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength, With which he yoketh your rebellious necks, Razeth your cities, and subverts your towns. Shak.
    This would subvert the principles of all knowledge. Locke.
  2. To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound. 2 Tim. iii. 14. Syn. -- To overturn; overthrow; destroy; invert; reverse; extinguish.
Sub*vert" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To overthrow anything from the foundation; to be subversive.
    They have a power given to them like that of the evil principle, to subvert and destroy.

Webster 1913