capsize

verb

cap·​size ˈkap-ˌsīz How to pronounce capsize (audio)
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

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
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.
One person died and another was missing Monday after a boat capsized near Bodega Head in Sonoma County. Bay City News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 Two people have been confirmed dead and several more are missing after two separate boats capsized in the past few days off Northern California’s Bodega Bay amid increasingly dangerous winds. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 This can be a treacherous one — in August 2023, a boat en route to Pinang from the nearby surfing hot spot of Nias Island capsized during a storm. Marylou Costa, Contributor, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for capsize 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of capsize was in 1778

Dictionary Entries Near capsize

Cite this Entry

“Capsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capsize. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

capsize

verb
cap·​size ˈkap-ˌsīz How to pronounce capsize (audio)
kap-ˈsīz
capsized; capsizing
: to become or cause to become upset or overturned : turn over
canoes capsize easily

More from Merriam-Webster on capsize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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