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subversivo

soob-ber-SEE-bo/suββeɾˈsiβo/

subversive

Also: rebellious
A small green sprout growing out of a crack in a massive, solid grey stone wall, causing the stones to shift and break.

📝 In Action

Su mensaje es muy subversivo para la época.

B1

His message is very subversive for the time.

La película ofrece una mirada subversiva sobre la sociedad actual.

B2

The movie offers a subversive look at today's society.

Escribieron poemas subversivos para desafiar la censura.

C1

They wrote subversive poems to challenge censorship.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rebelde (rebellious)
  • insurrecto (insurrectionary)

Antonyms

  • conformista (conformist)
  • leal (loyal)

Common Collocations

  • actividad subversiva – subversive activity
  • ideas subversivas – subversive ideas
  • orden subversivo – subversive order

subversive

Also: rebel
NounmC1formal
A person carefully pulling a single wooden block from the bottom of a very tall tower of blocks.

📝 In Action

El gobierno detuvo a los subversivos.

B2

The government detained the subversives.

Se dice que era un subversivo peligroso.

C1

It is said he was a dangerous subversive.

Los subversivos operaban en la sombra.

C2

The subversives operated in the shadows.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • agitador (agitator)
  • insurgente (insurgent)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • un grupo de subversivos – a group of subversives
  • presunto subversivo – alleged subversive

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "subversivo" in Spanish:

rebel→rebellious→subversive→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: subversivo

Question 1 of 3

Which of these would most likely be described as 'subversivo'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
subvertir(to subvert) — Verb
subversión(subversion) — Noun
subversivamente(subversively) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'subversio', which combines 'sub-' (under) and 'vertere' (to turn). It literally describes the act of turning something upside down from underneath.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: subversiveFrench: subversifPortuguese: subversivo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'subversivo' the same as 'revolucionario'?

They are close, but 'subversivo' specifically implies undermining something from within or 'turning it over' secretly, while 'revolucionario' is a broader term for wanting total change.

How do I pronounce the 'b' and 'v' in 'subversivo'?

In Spanish, 'b' and 'v' sound exactly the same. Between vowels, they both make a soft, breathy 'b' sound where your lips don't quite touch.

Can I use this for a person?

Yes! Just like in English, it can be an adjective ('un hombre subversivo') or a noun ('el subversivo').