Definition of overthrow
overthrew
play \ˌō-vər-ˈthrü\;overthrown
play \ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn\;overthrowing
transitive verb
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)
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Examples of overthrow in a Sentence
The quarterback overthrew his receiver.
Recent Examples of overthrow from the Web
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Hamas and Egypt have had cool relations since Egypt’s Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi, was overthrown by the military in 2013.
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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.
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Once overthrown by U.S. forces in 1989, Noriega spent an inordinate amount of time in jail, as dictators go.
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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.
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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.
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Bombs and bullets cannot menace me, Who have no substance to be overthrown.
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Muammar el-Qaddafi in 1993 — the year before Salman was born, in Britain — but returned after Colonel Qaddafi was overthrown in 2011.
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Lugar also wants ground forces sent in to support insurgents trying to overthrow Saddam.
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.
14th Century
First Known Use of overthrow
14th century
Synonym Discussion of overthrow
OVERTHROW Defined for English Language Learners
overthrow
playDefinition of overthrow for English Language Learners
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: to remove (someone or something) from power especially by force
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sports : to throw a ball over or past (someone)
OVERTHROW Defined for Kids
Learn More about overthrow
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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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