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

In a separate incident, a small boat capsized off Hardelot, on France's north west coast, late on Wednesday, the Pas-de-Calais prefecture said. — ABC News, 30 July 2026

Authorities have recovered and identified a third person who died after a boat capsized two weeks ago in the San Francisco Bay. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 July 2026

News of the body recovery piqued wide interest in light of the sinking of the Volare, a 49-foot three-story vessel that capsized July 14 near Alcatraz. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 25 July 2026

The government of Guyana continued to search its coastal waters Tuesday for dozens of people still missing after a government ferry capsized over the weekend in one of the deadliest disasters to it the South American country. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 July 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