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Subvert vs Defeat - What's the difference?

subvert | defeat | Related terms |

Subvert is a related term of defeat.


In lang=en terms the difference between subvert and defeat

is that subvert is to upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath) while defeat is to reduce, to nothing, the strength of.

As verbs the difference between subvert and defeat

is that subvert is to overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly while defeat is to overcome in battle or contest.

As nouns the difference between subvert and defeat

is that subvert is an advertisement created by subvertising while defeat is the act of defeating or being defeated.

subvert

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) subverten, from (etyl) subvertir, from (etyl) .

Verb

(en verb)
  • To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.
  • * Shakespeare
  • He razeth your cities, and subverts your towns.
  • * John Locke
  • This would subvert the principles of all knowledge.
  • To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound.
  • A dictator stays in power only as long as he manages to subvert the will of his people.
  • To upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath).
  • Derived terms
    * subversion * subversive

    Etymology 2

    , by analogy with advert.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An advertisement created by subvertising.
  • Synonyms
    * subvertisement

    defeat

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To overcome in battle or contest.
  • Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.
  • To reduce, to nothing, the strength of.
  • * Tillotson
  • He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being that can defeat all his designs, and disappoint all his hopes.
  • * A. W. Ward
  • In one instance he defeated his own purpose.
  • To nullify
  • * Hallam
  • The escheators defeated the right heir of his succession.

    Synonyms

    (To overcome in contest) * beat * conquer * overthrow * rout * vanquish

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of defeating or being defeated.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=May 13 , author=Alistair Magowan , title=Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Two defeats in five games coming into this contest, and a draw with Everton, ultimately cost Sir Alex Ferguson's side in what became the most extraordinary finale to the league championship since Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield in 1989.}}