capsize

verb

cap·​size ˈkap-ˌsīz 

kap-ˈsīz

capsized; capsizing

transitive verb

: to cause to overturn

capsize a canoe

intransitive verb

: to become upset or overturned : turn over

the canoe capsized

capsize noun

Synonyms

• overturn
• turn over
• upset

Examples of capsize in a Sentence

They were fooling around and accidentally capsized the canoe.

a huge wave out of nowhere caused our little sailboat to capsize

Recent Examples on the Web

In November 2024, a tourist boat capsized off Egypt's coast, killing four people. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

After a boat carrying eight passengers capsized in Florida, one person was found dead and four were taken to safety. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025

Officials are searching on Saturday for three missing people after a boat capsized in Jacksonville, Florida, leaving one person dead. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025

The sight of the team’s F50 capsized on Sydney Harbour, the crew in the hull, waiting to be rescued, summed up a miserable low point in their SailGP season. —Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Spanish capuzar or Catalan cabussar to thrust (the head) underwater

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for capsize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise
• coastwise

Kids Definition

capsize

verb

cap·​size ˈkap-ˌsīz 

kap-ˈsīz

capsized; capsizing

: to become or cause to become upset or overturned : turn over

canoes capsize easily