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

• fall
• slip
• stumble
• trip
• 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

Fierce headwinds for Tesla That’s tough luck for Musk’s detractors, such as early Tesla investor and onetime board director Steve Westly, who otherwise would have the perfect opportunity to topple the CEO from his perch. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 June 2024

In April, amid the deadly gang violence in Port-au-Prince, armed groups looted and ransacked the National Library in their bid to topple the government. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

The stones also weigh down the vase to counteract any heavy stems and prevent it from toppling. —Mackenzie Nichols, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2024

More storm injuries Wednesday's storms also damaged a Citigo gas station and sparked a potentially dangerous fire, toppled a large tree that crushed two trucks, critically injuring the the drivers, and spawned a smaller tornado in northern Michigan, at a golf club. —Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 6 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of top entry 3

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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