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; 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."

Example Sentences

To be sure, one counterargument to the “good enough” narrative is that bin Laden envisioned al-Qaida as “the base” on which other groups could then build their Islamist groups and overthrow secular states.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

Sunday's presidential election comes about four months after outgoing President Patrice Talon survived a coup attempt, when Nigeria - the regional superpower - sent warplanes to bombard mutinous soldiers who had attempted to overthrow him.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

The 86-year-old was a key figure in the movement that led to the overthrow of the shah in 1979 and succeeded revolutionary leader Ruhollah Khomeini as supreme leader in 1989.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

After his overthrow, Ghanaians lived through several coups up until the return of multiparty democracy in 1992.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

How could she hope to overthrow such men?

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

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