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Subvert vs Repeal - What's the difference?

subvert | repeal | Related terms |

In transitive terms the difference between subvert and repeal

is that subvert is to upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath) while repeal is to cancel, invalidate, annul.

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

    repeal

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cancel, invalidate, annul.
    • to repeal a law
  • To recall; to summon (a person) again.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The banished Bolingbroke repeals himself, / And with uplifted arms is safe arrived.
  • To suppress; to repel.
  • * Milton
    • Whence Adam soon repealed / The doubts that in his heart arose.

    Synonyms

    * annul, cancel, invalidate, revoke, veto

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An act or instance of repealing.

    • Anagrams

    *