topple

verb

top·​ple ˈtä-pəl 

toppled; toppling ˈtä-p(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to fall from or as if from being top-heavy

transitive verb

1

: to cause to topple

2

a

: overthrow sense 2

topple a dictator

b

: defeat sense 1

Synonyms of topple

• fall
• stumble
• trip
• slip
• tumble

Examples of topple in a Sentence

The strong winds toppled many trees.

The earthquake toppled the buildings.

The tree toppled into the river.

The rebels tried to topple the dictator.

The phone company has toppled its local competition.

Recent Examples on the Web

The region has been battered in recent days by Santa Ana winds, the Southern California phenomenon that can topple trees and power lines. —Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025

But Odysseus toppled over as well, apparently after breaking a leg during its touchdown, cutting its mission short. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Dec. 2025

The other geopolitical concern on the agenda Monday was Syria, as its new president, Ahmed al Sharaa, a former al Qaeda jihadist who helped topple his predecessor, Bashar Assad, grapples with more extremist forces in his country. —Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 29 Dec. 2025

If water bottles are toppling everywhere under the kitchen cabinet, easily secure them with the Lifewit Stackable Water Bottle Organizer. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of top entry 3

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for topple

• estoppel
• popple

Kids Definition

topple

verb

top·​ple ˈtäp-əl 

toppled; toppling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to fall over from being too heavy at the top

2

: to push over