overthrow 1 of 2

overthrow

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verb

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

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.
Recent Examples of overthrow
Noun
Advertisement Petro appeared to seek conciliation with Trump with a June 23 letter that rescinded his accusations of Rubio leading a plot to overthrow him. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Sep. 2025 The verdict marks the first time since Brazil became a republic almost 140 years ago that military officials have been punished for attempting to overthrow democracy. Ricardo Brito, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
But on third-and-3 in FG range, just ugly overthrow of Sutton to a diving Cam Bynum for pick. Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025 After Upton Stout drew a pass-interference penalty on an apparent fourth-and-3 overthrow toward Cooper Kupp in the end zone, Zach Charbonnet scored on a 1-yard run for a 7-7 tie early in the second quarter. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overthrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overthrow
Noun
  • Liverpool’s defeat at Galatasaray saw their title chances drop from 20 to 15 per cent, with their top-eight chances falling to 59 per cent too (from 84).
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The drop in the currency has been driven in part by concerns over Milei’s political support ahead of key midterm elections later this month following a crushing defeat in a local vote in Buenos Aires province in early September.
    Nicolle Yapur, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The comedically top-heavy sausages, which can easily topple forwards into the dirt, temporarily take center stage as the baseball players gaze on in amusement from their dugouts, sometimes wagering on the outcome.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Republicans toppled the Democrats’ huge House majority and seized the speaker’s gavel from Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) by gaining 63 seats, mostly by running on a pro-repeal message.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But courts were overwhelmed by a flood of asylum seekers—a long-standing systemic shortage exacerbated by Biden’s inclusive policies.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • And the first-half performance in Seville, as Postecoglou’s side overwhelmed a very strong Real Betis, was enough to prompt a huge sense of positivity.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The killing involved a lengthy beating and torture.
    Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • And in a few moments the room is filled with the faint whooshing sound of a small heart beating.
    Katia Riddle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In June, a three-judge panel had ruled unanimously that teaching yoga is protected speech and that city officials had failed to show how the classes threaten public safety or prevent enjoyment of the city’s shoreline parks, overturning a lower court’s ruling.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Another company explored the Bend and Reef deposits in 2011 and 2012, but since then no further action was taken, partially due to a mining moratorium in Wisconsin in place until the state Legislature overturned it in 2017.
    Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The former Sherman Drive-In demolished in 1983 is currently overrun with weeds and bordered by a chain link fence.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Giant furry rhinoceroses overrun Fiyero and Glinda’s wedding, and viewers get a glimpse at Boq’s (Ethan Slater) transformation into The Tin Man.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Farley has managed to woo Wall Street more than his two most recent predecessors — both of whom departed the company after double-digit losses in Ford's stock price.
    Michael Wayland, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Following Indiana's loss to the Aces, Clark took to social media on X and shared a short and touching message to her teammates and to the Fever fan base.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this year, Hayley Williams inverted the entire format by releasing her solo album Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party as 17 separate singles.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The defensive box score will take the traditional box score stats and invert them to attribute the statistics to the defensive player involved.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overthrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overthrow. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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