overthrow

[ verb oh-ver-throh; noun oh-ver-throh ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·threw, o·ver·thrown, o·ver·throw·ing.

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)

, o·ver·threw, o·ver·thrown, o·ver·throw·ing.

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 Words From

• over·thrower noun
• pre·over·throw noun
• preo·ver·throw verb (used with object) preoverthrew preoverthrown preoverthrowing
• uno·ver·thrown adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of overthrow¹

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

Example Sentences

Multiple army and navy officers then testified that Bolsonaro had approached them after the election with a scheme to overthrow the government-in-transition.

From Salon

But officials accused the activists of attempting to “overthrow” the government, and judges in their ruling agreed with the prosecution’s argument that the plan would have created a constitutional crisis.

From BBC

Since a coup overthrew Mali’s government in 2020, the country has become estranged from its Western partners and has drawn closer to Russia.

From New York Times

She was sentenced to five years in prison over allegations, which she denies, of plotting to overthrow the Tehran government.

From BBC

A peaceful protester, Maria Kolesnikova was sentenced to 11 years for extremism and supposedly plotting to overthrow the government.

From BBC

Related Words

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