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subvert vs undermine



 
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subvert vs undermine #1 (permalink) Wed Feb 06, 2008 23:36 pm   subvert vs undermine
 

hi,
can i interchange these words? they appear to be same,meaning -wise... but i am not sure.
will be glad if i can have some inputs.
Pebbles
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subvert vs undermine #2 (permalink) Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:55 am   subvert vs undermine
 

.
The first is of Latin origin; the second is from Middle or Old English. As such, 'subvert' has a sophisticated subtlely about it, while 'undermine' is more heavy-handed.
.
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subvert vs undermine #3 (permalink) Thu Feb 07, 2008 20:48 pm   subvert vs undermine
 

thanks micawber.
undermine does sound a strong word.but then i should have been more specific...what i meant was,you routinely hear about,"he/she is "undermining" my authority', but u don't hear ..."subverting" my authority'....wondering if i can interchange them in this context....
Pebbles
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subvert vs undermine #4 (permalink) Thu Feb 07, 2008 22:08 pm   subvert vs undermine
 

Hi Pebbles,

The trouble with English is that there are so many similar words in English coming from different languages that it's difficult to make a distinction. You are right in suggesting 'undermine authority' gives the sense of trying to weaken someone else's authority. 'Subvert' is a much more devious method of doing this and is used with expressions like 'subvert the course of justice' whereby somebody tries in an underhand way to stop a legal process following the usual path.

Alan
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subvert vs undermine #5 (permalink) Mon Feb 11, 2008 20:41 pm   subvert vs undermine
 

thanks alan !

the difference is much clearer now.i was a bit confused earlier....but guess these distinctions make the language so much more richer.
thanks again...
Pebbles
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