as in falling
to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily
the tower of blocks toppled even though I bumped into it ever so slightly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of toppling
The triple-ball design comes preassembled in classic Roman-style planters and looks impressively realistic, according to Amazon reviewers—even moving gracefully in the wind without toppling over.
—
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
And after significant rainfall soaked the soil during Monday’s storm, trees were particularly vulnerable to toppling during Tuesday night’s strong winds.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The development is the latest as Syria's new leaders have struggled since toppling former President Bashar Assad in December 2024 to assert their full authority over the country torn by nearly 14 years of civil war.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Jan. 2026
Topline Gold and silver prices surged early Thursday morning, with silver toppling the $120 mark and gold nearing an all-time high of $5,600, up more than $200 from just one day ago as tensions between the United States and Iran mount and the dollar weakens.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
And as leaders in Tehran will surely remember, the 1979 revolution was itself a culmination of a year-long protest movement that ebbed and flowed before finally toppling the Shah’s regime.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
The waterside trees leaned far out over the currents, almost toppling into the river, as if being pushed by the exuberant growth at their backs.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Strikes are something that had an important role in toppling the Pahlavi regime in 1979.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
The past 25 years have shown that the effects of toppling leaders are difficult to predict and that having more rather than fewer perspectives leads to better outcomes.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
And after significant rainfall soaked the soil during Monday’s storm, trees were particularly vulnerable to toppling during Tuesday night’s strong winds.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The development is the latest as Syria's new leaders have struggled since toppling former President Bashar Assad in December 2024 to assert their full authority over the country torn by nearly 14 years of civil war.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Jan. 2026
Topline Gold and silver prices surged early Thursday morning, with silver toppling the $120 mark and gold nearing an all-time high of $5,600, up more than $200 from just one day ago as tensions between the United States and Iran mount and the dollar weakens.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
And as leaders in Tehran will surely remember, the 1979 revolution was itself a culmination of a year-long protest movement that ebbed and flowed before finally toppling the Shah’s regime.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
The waterside trees leaned far out over the currents, almost toppling into the river, as if being pushed by the exuberant growth at their backs.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Strikes are something that had an important role in toppling the Pahlavi regime in 1979.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
The past 25 years have shown that the effects of toppling leaders are difficult to predict and that having more rather than fewer perspectives leads to better outcomes.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toppling
Verb
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But despite the loss, Lucas was pleased with the way several of the players for the Golden Hawks (2-1) came through in the clutch and how the team battled back after falling behind 6-1.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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After falling behind by 11 during an uneven first half, the Celtics buried the Suns with a 50-11 run that stretched from midway through the second quarter until late in the third.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mercader pushed Trotsky to the floor and, running and stumbling, escaped from the room.—
Josh Ireland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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He’s saved by a drunken Ser Arlan, who comes stumbling into the alley and instinctively follows his knightly code to defend the innocent.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Another thing that a lot of these jam band fans love is drugs — tripping, smoking weed, rolling on MDMA, doing peyote or ayahuasca, and eventually many of them loved smoking crack and shooting heroin.—
David Manheim,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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Shortly afterward, a southbound G train entering the station hit the frozen obstruction, tripping the train’s emergency brake.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Beer that turned green − possibly a chemical reaction with the drugs Dominque Pelicot had been slipping into her drinks and food to render her unconscious for the rapes.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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There is no feeling quite like slipping into a bed made up with brand-new sheets.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump backed down from a threat to launch a military invasion following congressional blowback, tumbling stock prices and criticism from America's closest allies.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
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The falls sent him tumbling from first place all the way off the podium.—
Sallee Ann Harrison,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toppling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toppling. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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