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
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Recent Examples of toppling
Second, the flowing glacier brings more ice forward to replace what breaks off, slowing the cliff’s inland retreat and making a chain reaction of cliff toppling less likely.
—
Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
Likewise, in 2022, youth protesters in Sri Lanka also succeeded in toppling the ruling regime.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
The group has grown from 35 member organizations to 75 in the four and a half years since statue-toppling gripped America.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Once inside, Schubert moved through the building, toppling county flags in the rotunda and setting the Columbia County flag on fire with lighter fluid, Heck said, according to the.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Place them within baskets and add a few rocks to prevent them from toppling over.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Fears are growing among Venezuela’s leadership that the true goal of the US deployment is toppling the autocratic regime of President Nicolás Maduro, though some warn a military intervention could further destabilize the country.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
An adult male bear can therefore easily go from around 700 pounds at the start of the fishing season to toppling more than 1,200 pounds.
—Gloria Dickie, Outside, 24 Sep. 2025
After a bunch of toppling, wacky noises and looks of despair, Morgan secures what feels like her 75th veto of the season.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
Likewise, in 2022, youth protesters in Sri Lanka also succeeded in toppling the ruling regime.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
The group has grown from 35 member organizations to 75 in the four and a half years since statue-toppling gripped America.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Once inside, Schubert moved through the building, toppling county flags in the rotunda and setting the Columbia County flag on fire with lighter fluid, Heck said, according to the.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Place them within baskets and add a few rocks to prevent them from toppling over.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Fears are growing among Venezuela’s leadership that the true goal of the US deployment is toppling the autocratic regime of President Nicolás Maduro, though some warn a military intervention could further destabilize the country.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
An adult male bear can therefore easily go from around 700 pounds at the start of the fishing season to toppling more than 1,200 pounds.
—Gloria Dickie, Outside, 24 Sep. 2025
After a bunch of toppling, wacky noises and looks of despair, Morgan secures what feels like her 75th veto of the season.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toppling
Verb
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This just makes the upcoming six-game homestand critical for the Wild in not falling too far behind in the Western Conference.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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After the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time since December 2024 last month, experts projected that rates would continue falling—even if ever so slightly.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Footage of a father stumbling around, apparently carrying the headless body of his baby?—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
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Remaining unclaimed playoff spots The final two playoff spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs, with FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes all stumbling towards the finish line.—
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Linebacker Alex Anzalone was fined $12,172 for unnecessary roughness (striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing) and defensive tackle Tyler Lacy was hit with a $5,722 fine for the same reason.—
Anne Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
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Defensemen Nick Leddy and Dmitry Orlov took tripping penalties one minute apart in the first period.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Women’s Power Stride Tab Socks 3-pack Designed with training in mind, this three-pack of no-show socks boasts an interior grip that keeps them from slipping during use.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Messi picked up the ball from his compatriot Rodrigo De Paul in midfield and burst toward the backpedaling Nashville back line before slipping the ball outside to Luis Suárez.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Despite the latest meme stock frenzy, Beyond Meat has nonetheless still fallen 23% so far in 2025 after tumbling 58% in 2024.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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But that would likely send it tumbling, which would raise inflation and undermine one of Milei’s main achievements.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toppling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toppling. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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