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

Miami-Dade firefighters rescued four people from the ocean Sunday afternoon after their boat capsized, the department said. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025

Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

And in Massachusetts, police are looking for a man in his 50s who disappeared after his boat capsized off the coast os Salisbury Beach on Saturday, according to the AP. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025

First responders in Salisbury and Newburyport continued their search Sunday for a missing boater after a vessel capsized in the Merrimack River on Saturday. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 25 Aug. 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