overthrow
Americanverb (used with object)
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to depose, as from a position of power; overcome, defeat, or vanquish.
to overthrow a tyrant.
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to put an end to by force, as a government or institution.
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to throw or knock down; overturn; topple.
The heavy winds overthrew numerous telephone poles and trees.
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to knock down and demolish.
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to throw (something) too far.
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Baseball. (of a pitcher) to throw too hard, often affecting control or straining the arm.
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Archaic. to destroy the sound condition of (the mind).
verb (used without object)
noun
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the act of overthrowing; state or condition of being overthrown.
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deposition from power.
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defeat; destruction; ruin.
- Synonyms:
- fall
verb
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(tr) to effect the downfall or destruction of (a ruler, institution, etc), esp by force
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(tr) to throw or turn over
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(tr) to throw (something, esp a ball) too far
noun
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an act of overthrowing
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downfall; destruction
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cricket
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a ball thrown back too far by a fielder
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a run scored because of this
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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overthrowsimple
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overthrowssimple
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have overthrownperfect
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has overthrownperfect
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are overthrowingprogressive
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am overthrowingprogressive
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is overthrowingprogressive
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have been overthrowingperfect progressive
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has been overthrowingperfect progressive
Past
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overthrewsimple
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had overthrownperfect
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was overthrowingprogressive
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were overthrowingprogressive
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had been overthrowingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of overthrow
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at over-, throw
Explanation
When you overthrow a ruler or a regime, you throw them out, usually by force. If you're a rebel you may plan to overthrow the current government and install a new regime. You can also use overthrow as a noun. You might plot to overthrow the parking ticket authority so that you won't have to pay your tickets. There are also more literal uses of the word. In baseball, football, and other games that involve throwing a ball, you overthrow when you throw the ball past the person you're aiming for. You can say "the pitcher overthrew the ball to the first baseman," or "the pitcher overthrew the first baseman."
Vocabulary lists containing overthrow
100 SAT words Beginning with "O"
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"Death, be not proud" by John Donne
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Catching Fire
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Plot to Overthrow Christmas Historical villains try to put a stop to the holiday in a fully staged, family-friendly version of Norman Corwin’s 1930s-era radio play.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2019
Melissa St Vil is a Haitian-American boxer in the lightweight division, who works at Overthrow Boxing Gym, teaching boxing fitness classes, and she boxes professionally.
From The Guardian • Dec. 11, 2017
Overthrow New York’s location is the Bleecker Street townhouse that once housed Abbie Hoffman’s yippies, and the place got its name from a yippie newspaper printed there.
From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2015
Overthrow New York’s lead trainer is Alicia Napoleon, a pro fighter known as “the Empress,” who has 11 amateur titles.
From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2015
From the axe the flame was flashing, Flame was bursting from the oak-tree,180 As he strove to fell the oak-tree, Overthrow the tree stupendous.
From Kalevala, Volume I (of 2) The Land of the Heroes by Kirby, W. F. (William Forsell)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
