topple

[ top-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, top·pled, top·pling.

1. to fall forward, as from having too heavy a top; pitch; tumble down.
2. to lean over or jut, as if threatening to fall.

verb (used with object)

, top·pled, top·pling.

1. to cause to topple.
2. to overthrow, as from a position of authority:

   to topple the king.

   Synonyms: overpower, overcome, vanquish, defeat

topple

/ ˈtɒpəl /

verb

1. to tip over or cause to tip over, esp from a height
2. intr to lean precariously or totter
3. tr to overthrow; oust

Other Words From

• un·toppled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of topple¹

1535–45; earlier top to tilt, topple ( tope ¹ ) + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of topple¹

C16: frequentative of top ¹(verb)

Example Sentences

Obama has latched on to the failure of the embargo to topple the Castros as justification to shuffle the deck.

From The Daily Beast

I push down on the pedal with my right leg and instead of propelling myself forward, I topple over sideways.

From The Daily Beast

Others, like the Tehrike e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) vowed to topple the Pakistani state itself.

From The Daily Beast

President Obama has weighed the options and concluded America does more harm than good when it sets out to topple regimes.

From The Daily Beast

Margaret Thatcher had served under the Heath regime as Education Secretary and witnessed the miners topple the Conservative Party.

From The Daily Beast

As they turned into red-hot ashes and began to topple over one by one into the glowing pile, Jess laughed delightedly.

From Project Gutenberg

It is enough to make the tallest chimney of the neighbourhood topple over with envy.

From Project Gutenberg

There would be a report, two reports, and he would topple over backwards to lie crumpled up and motionless.

From Project Gutenberg

The loungers fully expected to see Tad topple over backwards with a bullet in his body.

From Project Gutenberg

These congeal again, or are compressed into soft, filthy monumental masses, waiting their turn to topple into the waves at last.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• collapse
• oust
• overturn
• plunge
• tumble
• unseat
• upset