overthrow

verb

over·​throw ˌō-vər-ˈthrō 

overthrew ˌō-vər-ˈthrü  ; overthrown ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn  ; overthrowing

transitive verb

1

: overturn, upset

2

: to cause the downfall of : bring down, defeat

3

: to throw a ball over or past (something or someone, such as a base or a receiver)

overthrow

ˈō-vər-ˌthrō 

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for overthrow

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy.

conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

Examples of overthrow in a Sentence

The quarterback overthrew his receiver.

Recent Examples on the Web

No doubt, President Biden was more than peeved that Harris and the Democrat-media-money machine overthrew him for someone that even Joe recognized was glaringly incompetent. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Price has countered that the recall is fundamentally undemocratic and represents an attempt to overthrow the will of the voters. —Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

These storylines have political weight in the context of a nation hurtling toward a revolution that would ultimately overthrow an authoritarian regime and establish a constitutional republic. —Judy Berman, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024

He's been called many times one of the masterminds of January 6th, and he essentially is accused of plotting to basically trying to undermine democracy and overthrow democracy by stopping Congress from ratifying and counting the votes on January 6th to endorse the 2020 election. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

overthrow

verb

over·​throw -ˈthrō 

overthrew -ˈthrü  ; overthrown -ˈthrōn  ; overthrowing

1

: overturn sense 1, upset

lawn chairs overthrown by the gale

2

: defeat entry 1, destroy

a government overthrown by rebels

3

: to throw a ball over or past

overthrew second base

overthrow

ˈō-vər-ˌthrō 

noun