OVERTHROW Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'overthrow' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overthrow are conquer , defeat , overcome , reduce , subdue , and vanquish . While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power. // violently overthrew the old regime

Q: When might 'conquer' be a better fit than 'overthrow'?

While in some cases nearly identical to overthrow , conquer implies gaining mastery of. // Caesar conquered Gaul

Q: How are the words 'defeat' and 'vanquish' related as synonyms of 'overthrow'?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals. // the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

Q: Where would 'overcome' be a reasonable alternative to 'overthrow'?

The meanings of overcome and overthrow largely overlap; however, overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle. // overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reduce' instead of 'overthrow'?

Although the words reduce and overthrow have much in common, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender. // the city was reduced after a month-long siege

Q: When can 'subdue' be used instead of 'overthrow'?

The synonyms subdue and overthrow are sometimes interchangeable, but subdue implies a defeating and suppression. // subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

Q: When is 'vanquish' a more appropriate choice than 'overthrow'?

The words vanquish and overthrow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vanquish implies a complete overpowering. // vanquished the enemy and ended the war

overthrow 1 of 2

noun

Definition of overthrow next

as in defeat

failure to win a contest the surprising overthrow of the world's top-ranked chess player

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overthrow

2 of 2

verb

as in to topple

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to overwhelm

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb overthrow differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overthrow are conquer, defeat, overcome, reduce, subdue, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

When might conquer be a better fit than overthrow?

While in some cases nearly identical to overthrow, conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

How are the words defeat and vanquish related as synonyms of overthrow?

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

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

Where would overcome be a reasonable alternative to overthrow?

The meanings of overcome and overthrow largely overlap; however, overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

When is it sensible to use reduce instead of overthrow?

Although the words reduce and overthrow have much in common, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

When can subdue be used instead of overthrow?

The synonyms subdue and overthrow are sometimes interchangeable, but subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When is vanquish a more appropriate choice than overthrow?

The words vanquish and overthrow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overthrow

Verb

After a bunch of delays, Guaidó’s plan to overthrow Maduro was—finally—to come together on April 30, 2019. —

Zach Dorfman, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024 On the third-to-last play of the first quarter, Mahomes tried for Hopkins on a corner route, but the ball was overthrown. —

Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 Prometheus then seeks to overthrow Zeus with the help of three humans, Eurydice (Aurora Perrineau), Ariadne (Leila Farzad) and Caeneus (Misia Butler). —

Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Oct. 2024 Think about it: in children's and YA fiction, mice talk and fight with swords, little girls have big red dogs as best friends, witches and wizards fly on brooms, and young people overthrow corrupt and unjust governments through grit and wit and a belief in themselves and each other. —

Dr. Sayantani Dasgupta, TIME, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overthrow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overthrow

Noun

The Palestinians’ defeat and Israel’s occupation provided Hezbollah with its raison d’être.

Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024
Voters overwhelmingly approved a proposition to toughen penalties for some drug possession and shoplifting offenses — a political defeat for Newsom, who strongly opposed it.

Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024