topple

verb

top·​ple ˈtä-pəl 

toppled; toppling ˈtä-p(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to fall from or as if from being top-heavy

transitive verb

1

: to cause to topple

2

a

: overthrow sense 2

topple a dictator

b

: defeat sense 1

Synonyms of topple

• fall
• stumble
• trip
• slip
• tumble

Examples of topple in a Sentence

The strong winds toppled many trees.

The earthquake toppled the buildings.

The tree toppled into the river.

The rebels tried to topple the dictator.

The phone company has toppled its local competition.

Recent Examples on the Web

But history lacks good examples of air campaigns that have easily toppled regimes and led to replacements that the attackers preferred. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026

But there were also strong voices even among Khamenei opponents who were against foreign intervention to topple the theocracy. —Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026

However, adding a metal, plastic, or wooden stake and soft ties or a lightweight wire cage from the garden center will ensure the plant won't topple over. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Netflix would have loved to finally topple and take over its biggest rival — the one Netflix famously needed to become before HBO became Netflix. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of top entry 3

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for topple

• estoppel
• popple

Kids Definition

topple

verb

top·​ple ˈtäp-əl 

toppled; toppling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to fall over from being too heavy at the top

2

: to push over