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.
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to knock down and demolish.
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to throw (something) too far.
-
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)
-
overthrows,
present (3rd person singular)
-
overthrew,
past
-
overthrown,
past participle
-
overthrowing
present participle
noun
-
overthrows
plural
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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
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(tr) to throw or turn over
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(tr) to throw (something, esp a ball) too far
noun
-
an act of overthrowing
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downfall; destruction
-
cricket
-
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
-
has overthrownperfect
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am overthrowingprogressive
-
are overthrowingprogressive
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is overthrowingprogressive
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have been overthrowingperfect progressive
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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
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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.
See Examples For:
Dunmoyer, of the California Building Industry Ass., stressed that the measure doesn’t overthrow local zoning rules.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 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
The mufti conspired with Iraqi soldiers to overthrow the pro-British Prince Regent Abd al-Ilah of Hejaz.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026
He said that since Gaddafi's overthrow, sectors such as education and healthcare as well as basic needs have been "completely neglected".
From Barron's ● May 26, 2026
But then the United States threatened to dismiss the shah as well, and he was like: "How soon do we get this overthrow party started?"
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
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
Pakistan became a rabble, beset by misfields and overthrows, while six home bowlers conceded more than 100 runs.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2024
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
The study, published on Thursday in Science, overthrows decades of thinking about when humans arrived in North America.
From Scientific American ● Oct. 5, 2023
In truth, the pages of the Reply, and the Letter which has more recently followed it,* themselves demonstrate that what the writer has asserted wholesale he overthrows and denies in detail.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Robert Green Ingersoll
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
The US and Cuba have had strained relations since communist leader Fidel Castro overthrew a US-backed government in 1959.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
He overthrew Lissouba in a civil war to return to power in 1997.
From Barron's ● Feb. 28, 2026
I would never forget the day after Daoud Khan overthrew the king.
From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
Sushila Karki, who led Nepal as interim prime minister after Oli's government was overthrown, paid tribute to "all the brave individuals who lost their lives".
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026
In November 1688 the absolutist and pro-Catholic king of England was overthrown.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 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
“I’m happy because the Ayatollah was overthrown, and for the freedom,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2026
The king and all his company sat silent on their horses, marvelling, perceiving that the power of Saruman was overthrown; but how they could not guess.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
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
“Just not overthrowing the ball, not throwing as hard as I can but hitting the spots and having a feel for my off-speed pitches,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2026
Like all revolutionaries bent upon overthrowing an established regime, they needed to establish superiority as swiftly and overwhelmingly as possible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava needs to stop overthrowing receivers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2025
“The alliance is to be sealed by a marriage, it says. In return for Dome’s help overthrowing die Usurper, my brother Viserys is to take Prince Doran’s daughter Arianne for his queen.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
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