subversive
/səbˈvɜː.sɪv/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
intended to weaken or destroy a political system, belief, or rule from inside. It often suggests hidden or indirect opposition.
- The speech was seen as subversive.
- They spread subversive ideas online.
noun
a person or thing that tries to weaken accepted rules, beliefs, or authority. This use is less common than the adjective.
- The government called him a subversive.
- The book was banned as a subversive.
Adinary Nuance
Subversive is stronger than rebellious or critical. It suggests an attempt to weaken authority or accepted ideas from the inside. Use rebellious for open resistance, and critical for simple disagreement. Subversive often sounds political, social, or cultural.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- lật đổ
- Spanish
- subversivo
- Chinese
- 颠覆性
- Japanese
- 破壊的
- Korean
- 전복적인
Etymology
Subversive comes from Latin subvertere, meaning "overthrow" or "turn upside down." It entered English in the 16th century and kept its sense of hidden opposition.
Common phrases
subversive ideassubversive contenta subversive actsubversive literature
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is subversive a negative word?
- Usually, yes. It often suggests harmful or secret opposition to authority.
- What is the difference between subversive and rebellious?
- Rebellious is openly ضد rules or authority. Subversive is more hidden and aims to weaken from inside.
- Can I use subversive for books or films?
- Yes. It often describes art that challenges social norms or authority.
- Is subversive common in academic writing?
- Yes, especially in politics, literature, media studies, and social analysis.