Synonyms of overthrow

overthrow 1 of 2

noun

as in defeat

failure to win a contest

the surprising overthrow of the world's top-ranked chess player

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defeat
• beating
• loss
• setback
• whipping
• rout
• trimming
• failure
• plastering
• licking
• collapse
• drubbing
• trouncing
• upset
• shellacking
• lump
• flop
• fiasco
• shutout
• debacle
• washout
• nonsuccess
• lurch
• fizzle
• whitewash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• victory
• success
• triumph
• win
• achievement
• accomplishment
• sweep
• runaway
• landslide
• blowout
• romp
• cakewalk
• walkover
• walkaway

overthrow

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to topple

Related Words

• topple
• overturn
• invert
• upend
• overset
• capsize
• upset
• tump (over)
• turn over
• pitchpole
• tilt
• heel
• lean
• keel
• tip
• collapse
• list
• careen
• founder
• fall
• give

Dissimilar Words

• right
• stand up
• raise
• erect
• straighten (up)

2

as in to overwhelm

Related Words

• overwhelm
• overrun
• overpower
• demolish
• crush
• raze
• eradicate
• decimate
• extirpate
• obliterate
• wipe out
• annihilate
• mow
• expunge
• vaporize
• destroy
• plunder
• extinguish
• desolate
• sack
• wreck
• smash
• despoil
• shatter
• pillage
• waste
• total
• loot
• ruin
• nuke
• strip
• harry
• ravage
• rub out
• wrack
• scourge
• maraud
• foray
• devastate

Dissimilar Words

• restore
• recover
• rehabilitate
• redeem
• repair
• fix
• recondition
• patch
• mend
• revamp

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb overthrow differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overthrow are conquer, defeat, overcome, reduce, subdue, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

When might conquer be a better fit than overthrow?

While in some cases nearly identical to overthrow, conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

How are the words defeat and vanquish related as synonyms of overthrow?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

Where would overcome be a reasonable alternative to overthrow?

The meanings of overcome and overthrow largely overlap; however, overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

When is it sensible to use reduce instead of overthrow?

Although the words reduce and overthrow have much in common, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

When can subdue be used instead of overthrow?

The synonyms subdue and overthrow are sometimes interchangeable, but subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When is vanquish a more appropriate choice than overthrow?

The words vanquish and overthrow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overthrow

Noun

Rubio was a driving force for the overthrow of Maduro, and now is the chief intermediary with his successor, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. —Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026

Its overthrow will not come from outside Iran, nor will it be delivered by the will of foreign capitals. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Verb

Guatemala’s democratic revolution In Guatemala, a country historically marked by extreme inequality, a broad coalition formed in 1944 to overthrow its repressive dictatorship in a popular uprising. —Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026

Durán said his brother was detained in 2021 on charges of trying to overthrow Maduro’s government — an accusation the family fiercely denies. —Matias Delacroix, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026