subversive

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In 1940, the FBI commenced an extensive investigation of the Guild seeking to label it as a subversive organization dominated by a foreign power.

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Definitions (6)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. adjective Intended or serving to subvert, especially intended to overthrow or undermine an established government: "Sex and creativity are often seen by dictators as subversive activities” (Erica Jong).
  2. noun One who advocates or is regarded as advocating subversion.

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Examples

  • He knows about your extensive files on politicians and movie stars you deem subversive, and he's afraid you have a file on him. —  American Tabloid
  • His subconscious was being positively subversive, and that was beginning to worry the hell out of him. —  Sully's Kids
  • In 1940, the FBI commenced an extensive investigation of the Guild seeking to label it as a subversive organization dominated by a foreign power. —  Allard Lowenstein: An Exchange
  • Brownell brought proceedings which dragged on until 1958, at which time the Justice Department dropped its efforts to list the Guild as a subversive organization because, as its own internal records show, its evidence of Communist control was insufficient even to make out a prima facie case. —  Allard Lowenstein: An Exchange
  • In the cold fluorescent light of the modern workplace, melancholia is unproductive, subversive, anti-capitalist even. —  The Crack-Up
 

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Subversive has been looked up 486 times, favorited twice, listed 26 times, and commented on 6 times.

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Etymologies (1)

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. = French subversif = Spanish subversivo, suversivo = Portuguese subversivo; as subverse + -ive.
 

Pronunciations
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/səbˈvərsɪv/
by American Heritage

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