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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to overwhelm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Example 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

Listen to this article A Missouri man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for intentionally driving a U-Haul truck into barriers near the White House as part of an attack aimed at overthrowing the U.S. government and establishing a Nazi regime. —

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2025 Federal prosecutors recently moved to dismiss two actions accusing Trump of plotting to overthrow President Biden’s win in 2020 and hoarding classified documents at his country clubs after leaving office. —

Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025 The Hutts had huge influence at this time — one named Kossak the Hutt actually overthrew Xim’s empire. —

Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2025 He was indicted on charges of inciting a coup in an attempt to overthrow the election. —

Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for overthrow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overthrow

Noun

Despite Fritz’s defeat, there remains a healthy contingent of US participants in the tournament, with Monfils facing American Ben Shelton in the fourth round on Monday.

— Matias Grez, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
Their first defeat since December 7 must be quickly consigned to history and Howe’s team must learn how to better recover from setbacks at home.

— Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025