overthrow

[oh-ver-throh, oh-ver-throh] / ˌoʊ vərˈθroʊ, ˈoʊ vərˌθroʊ /

VERB

defeat, destroy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

beat demolish exterminate level liquidate overpower overwhelm purge ruin subjugate terminate tip tumble upend upset

WEAK

bring down bring to ruin do away with knock down knock over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

establish fail institute lose release retreat surrender uphold yield

STRONG

build construct create hold keep straighten

WEAK

give in

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.

In the 1953 coup, America's CIA intelligence agency and Britain's MI6 conspired with Iranians to overthrow the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Drawn into underground communist politics as a teenager, he was 21 when arrested in 1973 for campaigning to overthrow the king.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Namdar has long been an advocate for empowering Iranians to overthrow the regime.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

She has told me that when she was released, a few weeks before the shah’s overthrow, I didn’t recognize her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

Well, she looked like she was about to overthrow a dictatorship in her black T-shirt, combat pants, and boots.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Vocabulary lists containing overthrow

100 SAT words Beginning with "O"

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"Death, be not proud" by John Donne

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Catching Fire

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