subversive

5 synonyms and 1 antonym for subversive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

revolutionary

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

insurgent

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

seditious revolutionist subverter

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adjective

Intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority.

“The satirical cartoons were seen as subversive by the government.”

insurgent seditious revolutionist revolutionary subverter

Opposites

loyal

2. noun

A person who works to undermine or overthrow an established order.

“The secret police kept files on suspected subversives.”

subverter revolutionary revolutionist

How to use subversive

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

subversive humor subversive activity politically subversive

Etymology

From subvert plus the adjective suffix -ive.

Full origin of subversive →

Frequently asked questions

What does “subversive” mean?

The word “subversive” means intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority. In plain terms, working to quietly undermine or overturn something in power, often through ideas rather than force.

How do you pronounce “subversive”?

“Subversive” is pronounced suhb-VUR-sihv (/səbˈvɝsɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “subversive” in a sentence?

Here is “subversive” used in a sentence: “The satirical cartoons were seen as subversive by the government.”

What is another word for “subversive”?

Words with a similar meaning to “subversive” include revolutionist, revolutionary and subverter.

What part of speech is “subversive”?

Depending on how it is used, “subversive” can be an adjective and a noun.

Is “subversive” a common word?

“Subversive” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “subversive” have?

“Subversive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: intended to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority.

People also searched

revolutionary loyal insurgent seditious

Nearby words

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