overthrow

verb

over·​throw ˌō-vər-ˈthrō How to pronounce overthrow (audio)
overthrew ˌō-vər-ˈthrü How to pronounce overthrow (audio) ; overthrown ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn How to pronounce overthrow (audio) ; overthrowing

transitive verb

1
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 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
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.
Phillips talked to her students about an excerpt of Plato’s Symposium, in which—at the beginning of time—Zeus splits each human in two in order to foil their plan to overthrow the gods. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025 Reuters — Romania detained six people on charges of trying to overthrow the state with Russia’s help, prosecutors said on Thursday, and a 101-year-old former army major general said his home had been raided as part of the investigation. Reuters, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025 The series stars McGregor as Count Rostov, a fay member of Czarist Russia’s ruling class, who was living in comfort in his estates until the revolution of 1917 overthrew the old order. Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 With Iran's backing, Houthi rebels overthrew the government of Yemen in 2014. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overthrow

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overthrow was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overthrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overthrow. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

overthrow

verb
over·​throw -ˈthrō How to pronounce overthrow (audio)
overthrew -ˈthrü How to pronounce overthrow (audio) ; overthrown -ˈthrōn How to pronounce overthrow (audio) ; 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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on overthrow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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