overthrow

[ verb oh-ver-throh; noun oh-ver-throh ]
See synonyms for: overthrowoverthrewoverthrowingoverthrown on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),o·ver·threw, o·ver·thrown, o·ver·throw·ing.
  1. to depose, as from a position of power; overcome, defeat, or vanquish: to overthrow a tyrant.

  2. to put an end to by force, as a government or institution.

  1. to throw or knock down; overturn; topple: The heavy winds overthrew numerous telephone poles and trees.

  2. to knock down and demolish.

  3. to throw (something) too far.

  4. Baseball. (of a pitcher) to throw too hard, often affecting control or straining the arm.

  5. Archaic. to destroy the sound condition of (the mind).

verb (used without object),o·ver·threw, o·ver·thrown, o·ver·throw·ing.
  1. to throw too far: If I hadn't overthrown, it would have been a sure putout.

noun
  1. the act of overthrowing; state or condition of being overthrown.

  2. deposition from power.

  1. defeat; destruction; ruin.

Origin of overthrow

1
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at over-, throw

Other words for overthrow

Other words from overthrow

  • o·ver·throw·er, noun
  • pre·o·ver·throw, noun
  • pre·o·ver·throw, verb (used with object), pre·o·ver·threw, pre·o·ver·thrown, pre·o·ver·throw·ing.
  • un·o·ver·thrown, adjective

Words Nearby overthrow

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use overthrow in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for overthrow

overthrow

verb(ˌəʊvəˈθrəʊ) -throws, -throwing, -threw or -thrown
  1. (tr) to effect the downfall or destruction of (a ruler, institution, etc), esp by force

  2. (tr) to throw or turn over

  1. (tr) to throw (something, esp a ball) too far

noun(ˈəʊvəˌθrəʊ)
  1. an act of overthrowing

  2. downfall; destruction

  1. cricket

    • a ball thrown back too far by a fielder

    • a run scored because of this

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012