overthrow

verb over·throw \ ˌō-vər-ˈthrō \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

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

See overthrow defined for English-language learners

See overthrow defined for kids

Examples of overthrow in a Sentence

The quarterback overthrew his receiver.

Recent Examples of overthrow from the Web

Simon’s unfortunate coup Things come to a head quickly, as Simon enlists Dwight in his plan to overthrow Negan later that same day.

— nick statt, The Verge, "The Walking Dead Villain Watch season 8, episode 15: Worth," 9 Apr. 2018
This time, he and the five others—who were handed terms of seven to 12 years each—were convicted for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government and replace it with a multi-party democracy, according to prosecutors.

— james hookway, WSJ, "U.S. Criticizes Ally Vietnam Over Lengthy Prison Terms for Dissidents," 5 Apr. 2018
But in 1964, Mr. Mandela was sentenced to life in jail for conspiring to overthrow the apartheid government – leaving Madikizela-Mandela alone to carry on their fight, and their young family.

— ryan lenora brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "Winnie Madikizela-Mandela: For many South Africans, 'She was the movement'," 3 Apr. 2018
The company has attracted more new customers over the past five years than competitors Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint combined with a strategy of seeking to overthrow consumer-unfriendly practices like two-year contracts.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "T-Mobile Contest Will Back Teenagers Who Want to Change the World," 28 Mar. 2018
Almost all traces of the popular revolt that overthrew longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011 are now gone.

— brian rohan, Fox News, "Portraits of Egypt's leader fill iconic Cairo Square," 25 Mar. 2018
Bendito, who ran for the club's presidency both in 2010 and 2015, had attempted to overthrow the board after setting a vote of no confidence in motion last year.

— SI.com, "Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu Set to Trigger Elections by Ending Nou Camp Reign," 23 Mar. 2018
The Houthis, along with elements of the Yemeni military, seized the capital, Sana, and overthrew President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in 2015.

— richard pérez-peña, BostonGlobe.com, "Britain to sell jets to Saudis despite conduct of Yemen war," 10 Mar. 2018
His wife’s family was connected to the same government that Castro wanted to overthrow.

— nora gámez torres, miamiherald, "Fidel Castro’s son joined a long list of suicides in Cuba | Miami Herald," 2 Feb. 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.

First Known Use of overthrow

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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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

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

crease, lateral, lax, playbook, post, screen, scrum, secondary, ultimate

OVERTHROW Defined for English Language Learners

overthrow

verb

Definition of overthrow for English Language Learners

: to remove (someone or something) from power especially by force
sports : to throw a ball over or past (someone)

OVERTHROW Defined for Kids

overthrow

verb over·throw \ ˌō-vər-ˈthrō \

Definition of overthrow for Students

overthrew \-ˈthrü\; overthrown \-ˈthrōn\; overthrowing

1 : overturn 1

Wind overthrew the flower pots.

2 : to cause the fall or end of : destroy

Rebels overthrew the government.

overthrow

noun over·throw \ ˈō-vər-ˌthrō \

Definition of overthrow for Students

: an act of causing the fall or end of : the state of being overthrown : defeat

Learn More about overthrow

See words that rhyme with overthrow Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overthrow Spanish Central: Translation of overthrow Nglish: Translation of overthrow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of overthrow for Arabic speakers

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overthrow

Definition of overthrow

overthrow

Examples of overthrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples of overthrow from the Web

First Known Use of overthrow

Synonym Discussion of overthrow

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

OVERTHROW Defined for English Language Learners

overthrow

Definition of overthrow for English Language Learners

OVERTHROW Defined for Kids

overthrow

Definition of overthrow for Students

overthrow

Definition of overthrow for Students

Learn More about overthrow

Seen and Heard

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