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 May, six people were killed when a private jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego, and another crash that month resulted in three fatalities and nine missing after a boat capsized nearby. —Jesus Mesa gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025

Also that month, two men died and two others were listed in critical condition after their boat capsized on Long Island Sound. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025

Upon arrival, the Coast Guard rescued both people on board just seconds before the boat capsized and sank, the post says. —Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 1 June 2025

The children’s parents, who are from India, had been hospitalized after the boat capsized. —Karen Kucher, Mercury News, 30 May 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