topple

[top-uhl]

verb (used without object)

toppled, toppling 

1. to fall forward, as from having too heavy a top; pitch; tumble down.

2. to lean over or jut, as if threatening to fall.

verb (used with object)

toppled, toppling 

1. to cause to topple.

2. to overthrow, as from a position of authority.

   to topple the king.

   Synonyms: overpower, overcome, vanquish, defeat

topple

/ ˈtɒpəl /

verb

1. to tip over or cause to tip over, esp from a height

2. (intr) to lean precariously or totter

3. (tr) to overthrow; oust

Other Word Forms

• untoppled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of topple¹

1535–45; earlier top to tilt, topple ( tope ¹ ) + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of topple¹

C16: frequentative of _top ¹ (verb)

Example Sentences

Entire apartment blocks leaned into each other, like carelessly toppled dominoes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The country faces EU pressure to rein in its deficit and debt, and it was the fight over cost-cutting measures that toppled Lecornu's two predecessors.

Read more on Barron's

Two months later, Allen Kowalski, 27, was killed when a load toppled off a forklift and struck him.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Pressure mounted Saturday on France's newly reappointed premier Sebastien Lecornu to get an austerity budget approved, as more parties threatened to topple a man whose first term lasted a mere 27 days.

Read more on Barron's

Leftist parties leaving the meeting shot down the effort as insufficient and accused Macron of looking to continue policies that have toppled prior governments.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• collapse 
• oust 
• overturn 
• plunge 
• tumble 
• unseat 
• upset