overthrow

[oh-ver-throh, oh-ver-throh]

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

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

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 verb (used with object)
• unoverthrown adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of overthrow¹

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

Example Sentences

But the Socialists have also demanded a tax on the ultra-rich, which Lecornu has refused and not included in the draft budget, without which they have threatened to overthrow his cabinet.

Read more on Barron's

Reconstruction is one of the most significant challenges facing Syria's new Islamist authorities after the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last December.

Read more on Barron's

Conceived under President Dwight Eisenhower and greenlit in the early months of President John F. Kennedy’s administration, the aim was to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba.

Read more on Salon

Reconstruction is one of the most significant challenges facing Syria's new Islamist authorities after the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December.

Read more on Barron's

In June, Bogota and Washington temporarily called home their respective diplomatic envoys after Petro spoke of an alleged plot to overthrow him and hinted at involvement of the "Colombian and American extreme right."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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