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Showing results for overthrow. Search instead for over-throw.
Synonyms

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).

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • overthrower noun
  • preoverthrow noun
  • unoverthrown adjective

Etymology

Origin of overthrow

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; over-, throw

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 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is designed to thwart attempts to overthrow the government and outlast more powerful enemies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Its goal, it said, “is to overthrow the Islamic Republic.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

Drawn into underground communist politics as a teenager, he was 21 when arrested in 1973 for campaigning to overthrow the king.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

But a rare overthrow instead gifted them two and extended the contest.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

“There are no longer barbarians to overthrow civilization.”

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

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.