Definition

1. Verb:
   • To overturn or be overturned accidentally: To turn over completely, especially in water. This typically refers to a boat or other watercraft flipping upside down.
   • To cause to overturn: To make something, especially a vessel, turn over.

Usage

• The verb "capsize" is used specifically for vessels on water (boats, canoes, ships) turning over. It is an intransitive verb (the boat capsized) but can also be used transitively (the wave capsized the boat).
• It describes an accidental or unintentional event, often due to instability, wind, or waves.

Examples

• Intransitive use (the subject overturns):
  • The small fishing boat capsized in the storm.
  • If you stand up in the canoe, it might capsize.
• Transitive use (something causes the overturning):
  • A huge wave capsized the yacht.
  • The sudden shift in weight capsized the dinghy.

Advanced Usage

• "to capsize and sink": A common sequence where a vessel overturns and then goes underwater.
  • The ferry capsized and sank in minutes.
• Used figuratively to describe the sudden and complete failure or overthrow of plans or situations (less common).
  • The scandal capsized the politician's career.

Variants and Related Words

• Capsizal (noun, rare): The act or instance of capsizing.
  • The capsizal of the vessel was swift.

Synonyms

• Overturn: To turn over.
• Upset: To cause to overturn.
• Flip (over): To turn over quickly.
• Keel over: (For a boat) to turn over on its side or upside down.

Antonyms

• Right: To return to an upright position.
• Stabilize: To make steady and prevent from overturning.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Turn turtle": An idiom meaning to capsize completely so the bottom of the boat faces up, like a turtle on its back.
  • The sailboat turned turtle in the strong gale.

Verb

1. overturn accidentally
   • Don't rock the boat or it will capsize!