as in fell
to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily
the tower of blocks toppled even though I bumped into it ever so slightly
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Recent Examples of toppled
The country plunged into chaos after a 2011 uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
—
ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
On July 9, 1776, days after listening to a reading of the Declaration of Independence in Lower Manhattan, George Washington’s troops toppled a lead statue of King George III.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
DeHoyos had 11 kills — including seven in the first game —as the RedHawks toppled Glenbard West 25-22, 21-25, 25-17 in a rematch of the 2025 state championship match.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Tariq was at the forefront of the 2019 prodemocracy movement that toppled the 30-year dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 26 Apr. 2026
There were accordions and tambourines, and a giant fir tree that, one year, toppled under its own weight.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
An anonymous trader made off with more than $400,000 on Polymarket, another such website, after betting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would be toppled from office by the end of January, mere hours before Maduro was arrested.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The tornado ripped off roofs, flattened trees and toppled gravestones at the Belton Cemetery.
—Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
Scientists say the threat of fire has been amplified by a combination of extreme drought, gusty winds, climate change and dead trees still littering some forests after being toppled by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
On July 9, 1776, days after listening to a reading of the Declaration of Independence in Lower Manhattan, George Washington’s troops toppled a lead statue of King George III.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
DeHoyos had 11 kills — including seven in the first game —as the RedHawks toppled Glenbard West 25-22, 21-25, 25-17 in a rematch of the 2025 state championship match.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Tariq was at the forefront of the 2019 prodemocracy movement that toppled the 30-year dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 26 Apr. 2026
There were accordions and tambourines, and a giant fir tree that, one year, toppled under its own weight.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
An anonymous trader made off with more than $400,000 on Polymarket, another such website, after betting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would be toppled from office by the end of January, mere hours before Maduro was arrested.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The tornado ripped off roofs, flattened trees and toppled gravestones at the Belton Cemetery.
—Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
Scientists say the threat of fire has been amplified by a combination of extreme drought, gusty winds, climate change and dead trees still littering some forests after being toppled by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toppled
Verb
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But they were felled by poor shooting Friday, making just 35% overall and were particularly bad from long range.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
But before he was felled at age 68 by a heart attack, Joiner had shared what was in the briefcase with the lead Louisiana State Police investigator on the case, Stefan Montgomery, Joiner's son and the LSP confirmed.—
Stephanie Gosk,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With Colorado on the power play, the Avs icon lost the puck near the Minnesota blue line and stumbled while retreating.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
-
But Musk stumbled at least seven times in ways that possibly put his chances at winning in jeopardy.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The boy tried to run away but tripped and the beaver bit him on the upper thigh and continued to attack him.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
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But a federal judge sided with Biden-era Justice Department officials that such a combination tripped antitrust rules.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Novo’s share price has plunged by almost three quarters since its peak in 2024 and has slipped down the ranking of Europe’s most valuable companies.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
-
The infants had slipped through a gap between the mattress and a side rail.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Arm Holdings — The semiconductor company reversed earlier gains and tumbled 7% on underwhelming guidance.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
All five girls jumped off the couch, stampeded toward the apartment door, and tumbled into the building’s stairwell, stepping on each other’s heels.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toppled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toppled. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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