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

• 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

The United States Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing fisherman after a vessel with four people on it capsized in 7-foot swells and heavy winds off the coast of Oregon, officials said. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2025

The impact of the crash capsized the boat, killing three children — Mila Yankelevich, Erin Ko and Ari Buchman. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2025

In 1788, on its way to the Arctic, the vessel capsized not far off Sanday’s coast. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025

In 2019, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recorded 727 boating incidents, including collisions, ejections, capsizing cases and more. —Teghan Simonton, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 July 2025

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