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

Soon the truck capsized and the workers were swept away. —Usa Today Graphics Team, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024

An adjacent boat had already capsized, and others were in peril. —Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2024

Cairo, Egypt Reuters — Four bodies were recovered on Tuesday from a tourist boat which capsized off Egypt’s Red Sea coast, and rescue teams were still searching for nine missing people, the Red Sea Governorate said in a statement. —Reuters, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024

Watch on Deadline The first limb was found around 8:20 a.m. Wednesday in roughly the same spot where the mens’ boat capsized. —Tom Tapp, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2024

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

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