French word

subversif

Pronunciation

IPA/sybvɛʁsif/

Meaning

  • adjectivesubversive

Example

Le film est jugé subversif par certains critiques.

The film is judged to be subversive by some critics.

Illustration for subversif (subversive)

More examples

Son commentaire a été qualifié de subversif par des internautes.

His comment was called subversive by Internet users.

Core concept

An idea or work that unsettles an established system and exposes its foundations to change.

Common phrases

  • commentaire subversif

    subversive comment

  • propos subversifs

    subversive remarks

  • idée subversive

    subversive idea

Similar words

rebelle: Defying authority and refusing to follow rules.
contestataire: Protesting against established power or systems.

Definition in French

Qui remet en cause l'autorité ou l'ordre établi et tend à en modifier les bases politiques ou sociales.

Word origin

The adjective subversif developed around the verb subvertir, which came through Old French from Latin subvertere, "to overturn".

Usage tips

  • The feminine form is subversive, as in "une œuvre subversive," while the masculine form is subversif.

Other meanings

  • seditiousadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • subversionsubversionnoun
  • subversivementsubversivelyadverb

Word lists with this word