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

His reinstatement as judge after Assad was toppled and fled the country for Russia in December 2024 is an illustration of the country’s pursuit of transitional justice. — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Residents posted videos on social media that showed vehicles stranded in high water, a power pole being toppled by rushing water and flooded intersections. — Nbc News, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026

Those killed include a 4-year-old boy, in Jennings County, Indiana, in the southeastern part of the state, who was killed when a tree toppled on his home in on Tuesday amid an outbreak of severe weather. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Aparcedo and her family spent three years in a shelter following the floods before being relocated to a public housing project — which toppled in the June earthquake. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

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