overthrow

American  

[oh-ver-throh, oh-ver-throh] / ˌoʊ vərˈθroʊ, ˈoʊ vərˌθroʊ /

verb (used with object)

overthrew, overthrown, overthrowing

1. to depose, as from a position of power; overcome, defeat, or vanquish.

   to overthrow a tyrant.

   Synonyms:

   overpower, conquer

2. to put an end to by force, as a government or institution.

3. to throw or knock down; overturn; topple.

   The heavy winds overthrew numerous telephone poles and trees.

4. to knock down and demolish.

   Synonyms:

   level, raze, destroy

5. to throw (something) too far.

6. Baseball. (of a pitcher) to throw too hard, often affecting control or straining the arm.

7. Archaic. to destroy the sound condition of (the mind).

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verb (used without object)

overthrew, overthrown, overthrowing

1. to throw too far.

   If I hadn't overthrown, it would have been a sure putout.

noun

1. the act of overthrowing; state or condition of being overthrown.

2. deposition from power.

3. defeat; destruction; ruin.

   Synonyms:

   fall

overthrow British  

verb

1. (tr) to effect the downfall or destruction of (a ruler, institution, etc), esp by force

2. (tr) to throw or turn over

3. (tr) to throw (something, esp a ball) too far

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noun

1. an act of overthrowing

2. downfall; destruction

3. cricket

   1. a ball thrown back too far by a fielder

   2. a run scored because of this

Other Word Forms

• overthrower noun
• preoverthrow noun
• unoverthrown adjective

Etymology

Origin of overthrow

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; 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."

Example Sentences

It’s a striking claim for a country that fought a revolution to overthrow a king and hasn’t had one since.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

In the 1953 coup, America's CIA intelligence agency and Britain's MI6 conspired with Iranians to overthrow the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

While serving time he became a candidate to fill a seat in the very parliament he had tried to overthrow.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Namdar has long been an advocate for empowering Iranians to overthrow the regime.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

We should certainly know by now that it is one thing to overthrow a dictator or repel an invader and quite another thing really to achieve a revolution.

From "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin

Related Words

• abolish
• conquer
• crush
• depose
• dethrone
• eradicate
• oust
• overcome
• overrun
• overturn
• put an end to
• raze
• subdue
• subvert
• topple
• unseat
• vanquish