Overthrow

/əʊvəˈθɹəʊ/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To bring about the downfall of (a government, etc.), especially by force; to usurp..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To bring about the downfall of (a government, etc.), especially by force; to usurp.
2. (transitive, now rare) To throw down to the ground, to overturn.
3. A removal, especially of a ruler or government, by force or threat of force; usurpation.
4. (archaic, rare) An act of throwing something to the ground; an overturning.
5. (transitive, intransitive) To throw (something) so that it goes too far.
6. (sports) A throw that goes too far.

Example Sentences

I hate the current government, but not enough to want to overthrow them.

Here's Gloſter, a Foe to Citizens, / One that ſtill motions Warre, and neuer Peace, / O're-charging your free Purſes with large Fines; / That ſeeks to ouerthrow Religion, / Becauſe he is Protector of the Realme; […]

Wounded and overthrown, the Britons continued their resistance, clung round the legs of the Norman steeds, and cumbered their advance; while their brethren, thrusting with pikes, proved every joint and crevice of the plate and mail, or grappling with the men-at-arms, strove to pull them from their horses by main force, or beat them down with their bills and Welch hooks.

Wickedness often overthrows the health of the sinner. Go to the hospital, and see how many have ruined their health by their course of life. That drunkard. That glutton. That debauchee. Nine-tenths of the suffering from disease originates in the wickedness of the sinner.

Violence directed specifically at the regime in power, such as coups d'etat also often fail to attain the threshold of civil wars. While such conflicts often involve the armed forces of the society, coups d'etat are more explicitly extralegal executive transfers aimed at overthrowing the sitting regime's leaders.

“America voted for mass deportations,” White House adviser Stephen Miller posted Wednesday on X. He added that the demonstrators in Los Angeles are “trying to overthrow the results of the election.”

And he [Jesus] made a ſcourge off ſmale cordes / and drave thē all out off the temple / bothe ſhepe and oxen / ãd powred doune the changers money / and overthrue their tables.

Pittacus was a wiſe and valiant man, but his wife overthrew the Table when he had invited his friends: upon which the good man to excuſe her incivility and his own miſfortune, ſaid, That every man had one evil, and he was moſt happy that had but that alone; […]

Synonyms for overthrow

Antonyms for overthrow

Related Words

Word Forms

• overthrows
• overthrowing
• overthrew
• overthrown

Usage Notes

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