as in rebel
someone who tries to overthrow or undermine a governing power
They were outted as subversives and exiled from the country.
Related Words
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as in violent
seeking to overthrow or undermine a governing power
A subversive organization determined to unseat a leader who they believed operated outside the law.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subversive
Noun
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Israel has stepped up strikes against Syria despite pressure from the US, which has made moves to end the country’s international isolation following the rebel takeover.—
Eyad Kourdi,
CNN Money,
17 July 2025 -
The Times of Israel reported that both ships were attacked over a week ago by the rebels as part of their campaign targeting vessels over the war in Gaza.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
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The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Prod: María Isabel Páramo, Iván García) One of the biggest swings among BAM projects, set in 1996 Colombia, as the country succumbs to bloody insurgent warfare.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
15 July 2025
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Delegates followed that recommendation, rejecting a number of insurgent candidates.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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This evolutionary—not revolutionary—mindset offers a key lesson: Transformation doesn’t mean total disruption.—
Solange Charas,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Advertisement For all that was revolutionary about the Fantastic Four, there is little about the characters’ powers that is original.—
Oliver Staley,
Time,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Christian Slater plays the mysterious anarchist Mr. Robot.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
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As Fowler outlines, in contrast to much contemporaneous Liberal thought, anarchists believed that personal liberty was best pursued socially, in a community free of government and living peacefully with the wider environment.—
Ben Woollard,
JSTOR Daily,
18 June 2025
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“Subversive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subversive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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