overthrow
oh-vuh-THROH
Overthrow (verb) means to remove a government or leader from power by force. Example: “The rebels overthrew the dictator after months of fighting.”
verb
1
To remove a government or leader from power by force.
"The rebels overthrew the dictator after months of fighting."
"The coup attempted to overthrow the elected president."
"In the story, a band of nobles plans to overthrow the cruel king."
noun
1
The forced removal of a ruler or government.
"The overthrow of the monarchy came after years of unrest."
"The book describes the overthrow of the old regime in vivid detail."
"Few people expected the sudden overthrow of the government that spring."
How to use overthrow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bring down a government or leader by force, or the act of doing so.
Common pairings
overthrow a government
violent overthrow
attempt to overthrow
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Word forms
- Plural
- overthrows
- Third person singular
- overthrows
- Past tense
- overthrew, overthrown
Fill the gap
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The coup attempted to _____ the elected president.
Etymology
From Middle English overthrowen, formed from over- + throw.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “overthrow” mean?
The word “overthrow” means to remove a government or leader from power by force. In plain terms, to bring down a government or leader by force, or the act of doing so.
How do you pronounce “overthrow”?
“Overthrow” is pronounced oh-vuh-THROH (/ˌoʊvɚˈθɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “overthrow” in a sentence?
Here is “overthrow” used in a sentence: “The coup attempted to overthrow the elected president.”
What part of speech is “overthrow”?
Depending on how it is used, “overthrow” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “overthrow” come from?
The word “overthrow” comes from Middle English. From Middle English overthrowen, formed from over- + throw.
Is “overthrow” a common word?
“Overthrow” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “overthrow” have?
“Overthrow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to remove a government or leader from power by force.
What is the difference between an overthrow and a coup?
Overthrow is the general term for removing a government or leader from power by force, while a coup usually refers to a specific, often sudden and military-led, method of seizing power.
Is an overthrow always violent?
An overthrow involves removing a government or leader from power by force, though the degree and nature of that force can vary.
Can overthrow be used for things other than governments?
Overthrow is primarily used to describe the forced removal of a ruler, leader, or government from power.
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