topple
Americanverb (used without object)
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to fall forward, as from having too heavy a top; pitch; tumble down.
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to lean over or jut, as if threatening to fall.
verb
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to tip over or cause to tip over, esp from a height
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(intr) to lean precariously or totter
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(tr) to overthrow; oust
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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topplesimple
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topplessimple
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have toppledperfect
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has toppledperfect
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are topplingprogressive
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am topplingprogressive
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is topplingprogressive
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have been topplingperfect progressive
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has been topplingperfect progressive
Past
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toppledsimple
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had toppledperfect
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was topplingprogressive
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were topplingprogressive
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had been topplingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of topple
Explanation
To topple something is to knock it down. A house of cards can be toppled — so can a government. Things can topple in several ways. If a building collapses or falls down for any reason, it topples. If you knocked over another student, you toppled that person. Governments that are overthrown are also said to be toppled. When you see the word topple, someone or something is going down.
Vocabulary lists containing topple
100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
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"Sorry, Wrong Number," Vocabulary from the play
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The War That Saved My Life
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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.
About 40% of residents in this corner of Pacific Palisades are senior citizens, according to Haldis Topple, former president of the Marquez Knolls Property Assn.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2025
Topple the first-place Wildcats, and WSU would have all the rocket fuel needed for the stretch run.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2022
But any doubts are instantly dispelled as I behold the prix fixe menu Game Creek Chef Steven Topple of Portsmouth, England, has fashioned.
From Washington Times • Jan. 19, 2017
The pilot of I Love Dick is produced by Soloway and Andrea Sperling’s newly formed production company Topple under an overall deal with Amazon Studios, it is reported.
From The Guardian • Feb. 18, 2016
"Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight Topple down headlong."
From Tales from Many Sources Vol. V by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
