overthrow

play

verb over·throw \ˌō-vər-ˈthrō\

Definition of overthrow

overthrew

play \ˌō-vər-ˈthrü\;

overthrown

play \ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn\;

overthrowing

transitive verb
1 : overturn, upset
2 : to cause the downfall of : bring down, defeat
3 : to throw a ball over or past (something or someone, such as a base or a receiver)

overthrow

play \ˈō-vər-ˌthrō\ noun

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Examples of overthrow in a Sentence

The quarterback overthrew his receiver.

Recent Examples of overthrow from the Web

Hamas and Egypt have had cool relations since Egypt’s Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi, was overthrown by the military in 2013.

— Washington Post, "Hamas leader heads to Egypt for rare talks with officials", 4 June 2017
Even so, as Trump again showed his willingness to overthrow tradition, treaties and advice on Thursday, worries over the solidity of U.S. commitment to allies across the region are likely to grow.

— marc champion, Bloomberg.com, "Trump’s ‘America First’ May Be Bigger Threat to Asia Than Europe", 2 June 2017
Once overthrown by U.S. forces in 1989, Noriega spent an inordinate amount of time in jail, as dictators go.

— tracy wilkinson, latimes.com, "Manuel Noriega, ousted Panamanian military dictator, dies at 83", 29 May 2017
The government, with the support of a 12,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping mission, has been trying to calm the country that descended into sectarian fighting in 2013 when Muslim rebels overthrew the Christian president.

— cassandra vinograd, The Seattle Times, "Central African Republic killings send entire town fleeing", 27 May 2017
The monument, erected in 1891, commemorates the Crescent City White League's attempt to overthrow the city's Reconstruction government and integrated police force, and the obelisk once had an inscription that praised white supremacy.

— katherine sayre, NOLA.com, "Here's why Mayor Landrieu's speech on the Confederate monuments removal resonated", 26 May 2017
Bombs and bullets cannot menace me, Who have no substance to be overthrown.

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Daily: An Attack in Egypt", 26 May 2017
Muammar el-Qaddafi in 1993 — the year before Salman was born, in Britain — but returned after Colonel Qaddafi was overthrown in 2011.

— stephen castle and camilla schick, New York Times, "U.K., in Mourning, Asks if Manchester Bomber Could Have Been Stopped", 25 May 2017
Lugar also wants ground forces sent in to support insurgents trying to overthrow Saddam.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Bombastic Senator", 23 Nov. 1998

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overthrow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of overthrow

14th century

Synonym Discussion of overthrow

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy. conquer implies gaining mastery of. Caesar conquered Gaul vanquish implies a complete overpowering. vanquished the enemy and ended the war defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals. the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas subdue implies a defeating and suppression. subdued the native tribes after years of fighting reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender. the city was reduced after a month-long siege overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle. overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power. violently overthrew the old regime