capsize

verb

cap·​size ˈkap-ˌsīz 

kap-ˈsīz

capsized; capsizing

transitive verb

: to cause to overturn

capsize a canoe

intransitive verb

: to become upset or overturned : turn over

the canoe capsized

capsize noun

Synonyms of capsize

• overturn
• collapse
• keel
• upset

Examples of capsize in a Sentence

They were fooling around and accidentally capsized the canoe.

a huge wave out of nowhere caused our little sailboat to capsize

Recent Examples on the Web

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said one person was hospitalized and another killed after a boat capsized on Lake Pueblo. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026

One person and a dog died Friday on Lake Pueblo after a fishing boat capsized, sending the sole survivor swimming for shore, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026

On Friday, January 13, 2012, the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia struck a rocky outcropping and capsized, resulting in a total evacuation and 32 deaths. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026

Even if the ultra-Orthodox don’t capsize Netanyahu’s current coalition with their highly unpopular political demands, those demands may prevent the coalition from returning to power in the next election. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Spanish capuzar or Catalan cabussar to thrust (the head) underwater

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for capsize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise
• coastwise

Kids Definition

capsize

verb

cap·​size ˈkap-ˌsīz 

kap-ˈsīz

capsized; capsizing

: to become or cause to become upset or overturned : turn over

canoes capsize easily