subvert

sub·vert  (sb-vûrt)

tr.v. sub·vert·ed, sub·vert·ing, sub·verts

1. To destroy completely; ruin: "schemes to subvert the liberties of a great community" Alexander Hamilton.

2. To undermine the character, morals, or allegiance of; corrupt.

3. To overthrow completely: "Economic assistance ... must subvert the existing ... feudal or tribal order" Henry A. Kissinger. See Synonyms at overthrow.

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[Middle English subverten, from Old French subvertir, from Latin subvertere : sub-, sub- + vertere, to turn; see wer-² in Indo-European roots.]

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sub·verter n.

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subvert

Verb

to bring about the downfall of (something existing by a system of law, such as a government) [Latin subvertere to overturn]

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	subvert - cause the downfall of; of rulers; "The Czar was overthrown"; "subvert the ruling class" overthrow, bring down, overturn revolutionize - overthrow by a revolution, of governments depose, force out - force to leave (an office)
	2.	subvert - corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality; "debauch the young people with wine and women"; "Socrates was accused of corrupting young men"; "Do school counselors subvert young children?"; "corrupt the morals" corrupt, debase, debauch, demoralise, demoralize, deprave, misdirect, pervert, profane, vitiate alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue" carnalise, sensualise, sensualize, carnalize - debase through carnal gratification infect - corrupt with ideas or an ideology; "society was infected by racism" lead astray, lead off - teach immoral behavior to; "It was common practice to lead off the young ones, and teach them bad habits" poison - spoil as if by poison; "poison someone's mind"; "poison the atmosphere in the office" bastardise, bastardize - change something so that its value declines; for example, art forms suborn - incite to commit a crime or an evil deed; "He suborned his butler to cover up the murder of his wife"
	3.	subvert - destroy property or hinder normal operations; "The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war" countermine, sabotage, undermine, weaken, counteract derail - cause to run off the tracks; "they had planned to derail the trains that carried atomic waste" disobey - refuse to go along with; refuse to follow; be disobedient; "He disobeyed his supervisor and was fired"
	4.	subvert - destroy completely; "we must not let our civil liberties be subverted by the current crisis" ruin, destroy - destroy completely; damage irreparably; "You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!"; "The tears ruined her make-up"

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subvert

verb 1. overturn, destroy, undermine, upset, ruin, wreck, demolish, sabotage

verb 2. corrupt, pervert, deprave, poison, contaminate, confound, debase, demoralize, vitiate