topple

American  

[top-uhl] / ˈtɒp əl /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• untoppled adjective

Etymology

Origin of topple

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

Example Sentences

The Rams were nearly toppled by the runts, barely surviving what should have been a blowout, profusely sweating through a wild-card playoff game that should have been a breeze, and now you wonder.

From Los Angeles Times

And after six wins in 2025 it is hard to see the American being toppled as world number One any time soon.

From BBC

Still, making this year’s Super Bowl will require toppling some established passers along the way.

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. helped topple Iraq’s Saddam Hussein and Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi, but both dictators were ultimately killed by their own people.

From The Wall Street Journal

Perhaps even someone capable of toppling the seemingly unstoppable world champion.

From BBC

Related Words

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