Definition

1. Verb (past tense of ):
   • To remove from power by force: "overthrew" means to forcibly depose a ruler, government, or authority, often through rebellion or coup.
   • To defeat completely: It also means to cause the downfall or ruin of something, such as an institution, system, or opponent.
   • To overturn physically: In a literal sense, it can mean to knock over or upset something.

Usage Examples

• Political removal:

  • The rebels overthrew the dictator after months of protest. (They forcibly removed him from power.)
  • The general overthrew the elected government in a military coup. (He seized control by force.)

• Complete defeat:

  • The underdog team overthrew the champions in a stunning victory. (They defeated the champions completely.)
  • The new technology overthrew the old manufacturing methods. (It made the old methods obsolete.)

• Physical overturning:

  • The strong wind overthrew the garden table. (It knocked the table over.)

Advanced Usage

• "to overthrow a regime": to bring down a ruling system.

  • The revolutionaries sought to overthrow the oppressive regime. (They aimed to end the regime through force.)

• "to overthrow a verdict": in legal contexts, to overturn a court's decision.

  • The appeals court overthrew the original verdict. (The higher court reversed the previous ruling.)

Variants and Related Words

• Overthrow (verb, present tense): to remove from power or defeat.

  • The army plans to overthrow the king. (They intend to depose him.)

• Overthrow (noun): the act of removing a leader or system.

  • The overthrow of the monarchy was swift. (The removal of the monarchy happened quickly.)

• Overthrown (past participle): having been removed from power.

  • The overthrown government fled into exile. (The deposed government left the country.)

Synonyms

• Depose: to remove from a high position, especially a ruler.

  • The council deposed the emperor. (They forced him to leave the throne.)

• Oust: to drive out or expel from a position.

  • The shareholders ousted the CEO. (They forced the CEO to resign.)

• Topple: to cause something to fall, especially a government.

  • The scandal toppled the prime minister. (The scandal forced the prime minister to resign.)

• Overcome: to defeat or conquer.

  • The rebels overcame the royal army. (They defeated the army.)

Related Idioms

• "To overthrow the apple cart": to disrupt or ruin a plan or situation.

  • His sudden resignation overthrew the apple cart for the entire project. (His resignation disrupted all the plans.)

• "To rise up and overthrow": to rebel against and defeat authority.

  • The people rose up and overthrew the tyrant. (They rebelled and removed the tyrant from power.)