topple

verb

top·​ple ˈtä-pəl 

toppled; toppling ˈtä-p(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to fall from or as if from being top-heavy

transitive verb

1

: to cause to topple

2

a

: overthrow sense 2

topple a dictator

b

: defeat sense 1

Synonyms

• fall
• slip
• stumble
• trip
• tumble

Examples of topple in a Sentence

The strong winds toppled many trees.

The earthquake toppled the buildings.

The tree toppled into the river.

The rebels tried to topple the dictator.

The phone company has toppled its local competition.

Recent Examples on the Web

The wars in Gaza and Ukraine continued, and a Syrian dictator recently unexpectedly toppled. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024

The rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) who toppled Assad were supported by Turkey, giving the country significant influence over Syria and its new leaders. —Fatma Tanis, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024

The house toppled into the Gulf of Pozzuoli centuries ago, falling victim to a geological phenomenon known as bradyseism, in which the land surrounding a volcano alternates between periods of sinking and rising. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024

News of the burning Christmas tree generated headlines around the world as the Islamist faction that toppled ex-President Bashar al-Assad aims to restore peace in the nation. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of top entry 3

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

topple

verb

top·​ple ˈtäp-əl 

toppled; toppling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to fall over from being too heavy at the top

2

: to push over