subversive
9
8.1
- noun
- /səbˈvɜːrsɪv/
- Reflecting its Cold War era origins, the act also established strict security provisions designed to target suspected subversives.
- suspected subversives
Examples
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Michel Foucault is a perfect example of the adroit subversive within the historical profession.
Academic text (1993) -
I have to keep a look out for subversives.
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I had no idea I worked for such a subversive publisher.
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I remember the Robin Williams movie, The Dead Poets Society, about a subversive teacher.
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There are the kids who are going to do the subversive transgressive things and there are kids who are not going to do them.
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There are many subversives acting openly that have to be confronted.
Blog text (6) -
They're on the government's list of subversives.
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People once called subversives, revolutionaries, enemies of the state, are openly celebrating tonight.
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During the pre-Bolivarian 1970s, co-op members were labeled subversives; the cooperative was infiltrated by agents from the Venezuelan secret service.
Blog text (28) -
During the political rally, a known subversive was called out for promoting anti-government messages.
Synonyms
58
5.8
A person who supports or takes part in political change to remove a government
58
7.5
A person who speaks against the government or its leaders and may be punished
4
7.4
A person who openly opposes their government or its policies
1
7.0
A person who takes strong action to change a government or society
1
9.9
A person who tries to weaken a country's leaders or how society is run
1
9.4
A person who encourages others to rebel against the government or other authority
Antonyms
Compounds
How Subversive
58
5.8
- Literature
143
8.6
9
8.1
556
3.6
58
7.5
22
7.2
Surface Forms
Etymology
Subversive comes from the Latin parts sub- meaning 'under' and vertere meaning 'to turn'. So a subversive is literally someone who tries to 'turn things from under' — in other words, a person who seeks to quietly weaken or overthrow an authority.