subversion

UK: /səbˈvɜː^rʃ^ən/

US: /səbˈvɝʒən, -ʃən/

US: (səb vûr′zhən, -shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sub•ver•sion /səbˈvɜrʒən, -ʃən/  n. [uncountable]

1. the act of overthrowing or attempting to overthrow a government, or some power or authority.

See -vert-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sub•ver•sion  (səb vûr′zhən, -shən), n. 

1. an act or instance of subverting.
2. the state of being subverted;
   destruction.
3. something that subverts or overthrows.

• Late Latin subversiōn- (stem of subversiō) an overthrowing. See sub-, version
• Middle English 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

subversion / səbˈvɜːʃən/, subversal / səbˈvɜːsəl/ noun

1. the act or an instance of subverting or overthrowing a legally constituted government, institution, etc
2. the state of being subverted; destruction or ruin

Etymology: 14th Century: from Late Latin subversiō destruction, from Latin subvertere to subvert