overthrow

verb

over·​throw ˌō-vər-ˈthrō How to pronounce overthrow (audio)
overthrew ˌō-vər-ˈthrü How to pronounce overthrow (audio) ; overthrown ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn How to pronounce overthrow (audio) ; overthrowing

transitive verb

1
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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many Iranians inside Iran today view Israel as their only hope of overthrowing the mullahs. Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025 Prince Pahlavi had left the country a year before his father was overthrown, and started training to be a jet fighter pilot at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 June 2025 Reuters — Vietnam will remove the death penalty for eight offenses from next month, including embezzlement and activities aimed at overthrowing the government, parliament said on Wednesday, sparing the life of a tycoon in a $12 billion fraud case. CNN Money, 25 June 2025 That changed in 1979 when Iran’s pro-American autocratic ruler, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, was overthrown and the regime known as the Islamic Republic, which still rules Iran today, was established. Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for overthrow

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overthrow was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overthrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overthrow. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

overthrow

verb
over·​throw -ˈthrō How to pronounce overthrow (audio)
overthrew -ˈthrü How to pronounce overthrow (audio) ; overthrown -ˈthrōn How to pronounce overthrow (audio) ; 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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overthrow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!