subverts
Turns against itself
Subverts is the third-person singular of subvert, meaning to undermine or overthrow something from within.
A spy subverts an organization by working against it while appearing loyal.
The word often describes attacks on authority, institutions, or expectations: The film subverts genre conventions.
To subvert is to weaken foundations rather than mount a direct assault.
Weakens by stealth
- weakensReduces strength or power
- erodesWears away gradually
- undercutsWeakens or undersells
- destabilizesUndermines steadiness or equilibrium
sabotages · compromises · impairs · corrupts · hollows · saps · diminishes · degrades
Openly resists or challenges
- resistsActively withstands force
- opposesActs in resistance
- floutsDisregards with disdain
- contravenesActs against regulations
rebels · disobeys · contests · violates · transgresses · disregards · circumvents · questions
Satirical imitations
- mocksRidicules through imitation
- lampoonsMocks through exaggerated imitation
- satirizesMocks through exaggeration
- ironizesUses verbal contrast pointedly
burlesques · caricatures · skewers · ridicules · spoofs · deconstructs · critiques · exposes
Forcibly removes from power
- topplesFalls or overthrows
- upendsTurns upside down
- invertsReverses position or order
- reversesSwitches to opposite direction
overturns · displaces · supplants · usurps · deposes · unseats · dismantles · abolishes
Disturbs or overturns
- derailsThrows off course
- thwartsFrustrates or blocks
- obstructsBlocks or hinders
- interferesMeddles in others' affairs
confounds · frustrates · foils · unsettles · disturbs · dislocates · deranges · throws off
undermines
Weakens by stealth
destabilizes · sabotages · compromises · impairs · corrupts · hollows · saps · diminishes · degrades · cripples
defies
Openly resists or challenges
contravenes · rebels · disobeys · contests · violates · transgresses · disregards · circumvents · questions · disputes
parodies
Satirical imitations
- mocksRidicules through imitation
- lampoonsMocks through exaggerated imitation
- satirizesMocks through exaggeration
ironizes · burlesques · caricatures · skewers · ridicules · spoofs · deconstructs · critiques · exposes · unmasks
overthrows
Forcibly removes from power
reverses · overturns · displaces · supplants · usurps · deposes · unseats · dismantles · abolishes · nullifies
upsets
Disturbs or overturns
interferes · confounds · frustrates · foils · unsettles · disturbs · dislocates · deranges · throws off · wrong-foots
subvertsupholds
Supports or affirms
supports · reinforces · bolsters · strengthens · sustains
subvertsestablishes
Creates or sets up
builds · constructs · creates · founds · institutes
- subversive artExpression challenging power structures
- subverted expectationsAnticipated outcome overturned
- subversive humorComedy undermining established order
- political subversionSecretly undermining a government
- subversive literatureWritings that threaten power structures
- subversive activityActions meant to overthrow authority
subvert, subversive, subversion, subverting, subverted, subverter, subversively, subverters