overthrow

verb

over·throw | \ ˌō-vər-ˈthrō

overthrew\ ˌō-vər-ˈthrü

\; overthrown\ ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn

\; overthrowing

Definition of overthrow

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)

Other Words from overthrow Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about overthrow

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of overthrow in a Sentence

The quarterback overthrew his receiver.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1974 Hersh reported in The New York Times that Korry had facilitated the CIA’s efforts to foment internal opposition to Allende, who committed suicide during a coup that overthrew him in 1973. — Scott Sherman, The New York Review of Books, "A Muckraker’s Progress," 17 June 2019 Some of us are anxiously awaiting the photonics revolution, where photons will band together to overthrow the tyranny of electrons. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Wireless nanowire lasers absorb infrared, emit blue light," 1 June 2019 But two objectives were mixed up at the outset: overthrowing the Taliban regime in Kabul, and destroying Al Qaeda training camps. — Rony Brauman, Harper's magazine, "Salable Virtues," 10 Apr. 2019 If #MeToo is a way to overthrow the old guard, Little Fresh Meat is a way to appoint new heartthrobs and recast the mold in a non-traditional, less threatening, and far cuddlier image. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "This Week in Timothée Chalamet, Week of April 5," 5 Apr. 2019 Mali has been in turmoil since a 2012 uprising prompted mutinous soldiers to overthrow the president of a decade. — Edith M. Lederer, The Seattle Times, "Mali warns any cut in UN force will strengthen militants," 29 Mar. 2019 Built in 1882, the palace served as the home of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani—the last ruling royalty in Hawaii before the monarchy was overthrown. — Condé Nast Traveler, "8 Most Haunted Cities In America and Why You Should Visit," 18 Oct. 2018 Support for birth control was pulled during the one year that President Mohammed Morsi was president until he was overthrown by el-Sissi in July 2013. — Jacob Wirtschafter And Mina Nader, USA TODAY, "Egypt pushes population control: 'Two is Enough'," 5 July 2018 That was the year when Shia Islamists overthrew the Shah of Iran, Sunni extremists opposed to the Saudi monarchy stormed the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Soviet army marched into Afghanistan. — The Economist, "Muslims but not brothersSaudi Arabia turns against political Islam," 23 June 2018

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.