overthrow

verb

over·​throw ˌō-vər-ˈthrō 

overthrew ˌō-vər-ˈthrü  ; overthrown ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn  ; overthrowing

transitive verb

1

: overturn, upset

a storm overthrowing trees

2

: to cause the downfall of : bring down, defeat

overthrow a tyrant

3

: to throw a ball over or past (something or someone, such as a base or a receiver)

overthrow

ˈō-vər-ˌthrō 

noun

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

Fast-forward to today, where the name being shouted in the streets is none other than Reza Pahlavi--son of the dictator overthrown by the Islamic Revolution in 1979. —Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026

Iranian ethnic minorities exiled abroad are warning that efforts to overthrow the country’s theocratic Islamic regime will falter without swift international support, particularly from the United States. —Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 15 Jan. 2026

That trick play failed — Chism overthrew an open Drake Maye on the same reverse pass McDaniels called for Amendola and Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII — but the 24-year-old hauled in a 20-yard reception three plays later to move the chains on second-and-18. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

Pahlavi has lived in exile since his father, the last shah of Iran, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution that brought the current clerical regime to power. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overthrow

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

overthrow

verb

over·​throw -ˈthrō 

overthrew -ˈthrü  ; overthrown -ˈthrōn  ; overthrowing

1

: overturn sense 1, upset

lawn chairs overthrown by the gale

2

: defeat entry 1, destroy

a government overthrown by rebels

3

: to throw a ball over or past

overthrew second base

overthrow

ˈō-vər-ˌthrō 

noun