overthrow
Americanverb (used with object)
-
overthrows,
present (3rd person singular)
-
overthrew,
past
-
overthrown,
past participle
-
overthrowing
present participle
-
to depose, as from a position of power; overcome, defeat, or vanquish.
to overthrow a tyrant.
-
to put an end to by force, as a government or institution.
-
to throw or knock down; overturn; topple.
The heavy winds overthrew numerous telephone poles and trees.
-
to knock down and demolish.
-
to throw (something) too far.
-
Baseball. (of a pitcher) to throw too hard, often affecting control or straining the arm.
-
Archaic. to destroy the sound condition of (the mind).
verb (used without object)
-
overthrows,
present (3rd person singular)
-
overthrew,
past
-
overthrown,
past participle
-
overthrowing
present participle
noun
-
overthrows
plural
-
the act of overthrowing; state or condition of being overthrown.
-
deposition from power.
-
defeat; destruction; ruin.
- Synonyms:
- fall
verb
-
(tr) to effect the downfall or destruction of (a ruler, institution, etc), esp by force
-
(tr) to throw or turn over
-
(tr) to throw (something, esp a ball) too far
noun
-
an act of overthrowing
-
downfall; destruction
-
cricket
-
a ball thrown back too far by a fielder
-
a run scored because of this
-
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
overthrowsimple
-
overthrowssimple
-
have overthrownperfect
-
has overthrownperfect
-
am overthrowingprogressive
-
are overthrowingprogressive
-
is overthrowingprogressive
-
have been overthrowingperfect progressive
-
has been overthrowingperfect progressive
Past
-
overthrewsimple
-
had overthrownperfect
-
was overthrowingprogressive
-
were overthrowingprogressive
-
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"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Death, be not proud" by John Donne
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Catching Fire
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
The greatest danger facing society isn’t that software will awaken and overthrow its human masters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
While the film frets that the stupids are building an army to overthrow the world, it can’t even bother to come up with a counterrevolution.
From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026
In his 2012 autobiography "An American Son," the man oft-memed as the "viceroy" of Cuba, recounts boasting to his exiled Cuban grandfather that he would one day overthrow Fidel Castro and free Cuba.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
Then there’s the fact that Nicaraguan migrants in the United States are a smaller and less powerful force than Cuban Americans, many of whom have lobbied Washington for decades to isolate and overthrow Havana’s leaders.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
“Now the Danes seek the overthrow of Fortinbras. Some pin their hopes on me, a mere friend of the prince who should have been their king,” he says with some dismay.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have now uncovered a key reason behind these coordinated overthrows and how they unfold so precisely.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 22, 2025
There were a couple of overthrows to Ja’Lynn Polk as well.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 8, 2024
India had lost their past four semi-finals in World Cups and they conceded 30 extras, twice gifted four overthrows and Shami dropped a simple chance to remove Williamson on 52.
From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2023
Dobbs threw for two touchdowns in his fifth start for the injured Kyler Murray, but had two interceptions on overthrows and lost a fumble that set up a Bengals’ fourth-quarter field goal.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 9, 2023
Oh, man, I know it overthrows all human conceptions of life, but—last night you asked me a question concerning this body of mine—and I told you I knew what I was doing.
From Palos of the Dog Star Pack by J. U. Giesy
When he overthrew President Alpha Condé, Doumbouya said he would not seek election and would hand over to civilian rule.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Apple finally overthrew Nvidia to reclaim the title of the world’s largest company by market capitalization, underscoring the dramatic degree to which the iPhone maker’s stock is clobbering the broader technology universe.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
“He had the ability if he was developed and stayed healthy. I think he probably overthrew and tore his rotator cuff and nobody knew it.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026
He overthrew Lissouba in a civil war to return to power in 1997.
From Barron's ● Feb. 28, 2026
In October 1917 the radical Bolshevik Party took advantage of people’s anger over World War I and overthrew the Provisional Government.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
"If they let their people interact with the outside world, they are highly likely to be overthrown, and maybe killed or driven into exile," he added.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
In November 1688 the absolutist and pro-Catholic king of England was overthrown.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Assad was sentenced in absentia, as he has been living in Moscow after fleeing Damascus in 2024 when his regime was overthrown.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
A 34-year-old resident of Sanandaj in western Iran said the intensity of the attacks had decreased and that in recent days he "realised the Islamic republic will not be overthrown in the way we imagined".
From Barron's ● Mar. 27, 2026
If the right type of propaganda was directed at the German people, he believed the Nazi regime could be overthrown.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
I watched a movie called “The International,” which focused on an Interpol investigation of a bank that primarily served groups intent on overthrowing existing governments.
From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026
He might open the door to their own people overthrowing them, though not push anybody through it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 3, 2026
“I thought he was overthrowing, I hadn’t seen that all spring,” Roberts said after the game.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2026
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava needs to stop overthrowing receivers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2025
"And lastly, O my resourceful son," said the Tisroc, "you have made clear how all this might give you the barbarian woman, but not how it helps me to the overthrowing of Narnia."
From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
