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to overthrow

to overthrow

127 5.1
To remove a leader or government from power, often by force
  • verb
  • /ˈoʊvərˌθroʊ/
translation icon : derrocar
  • Within a week, they agreed to launch a coup to overthrow the government of France.
  • overthrow the government
  • overthrow the regime
  • a coup to overthrow

We're not here to help you overthrow Saddam Hussein.

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Examples

  • Activists united to overthrow the corrupt government that had ruled for decades.

  • The rebels planned to overthrow the oppressive regime before the end of the year.

  • The question of when, if ever, the military has the right to overthrow the government is a difficult one.

    Academic text (1992)
  • "Now we can get on with the business of overthrowing the government."

    Fiction book (1993)
  • They've moved quickly to seize resources and overthrow civil administration.

  • It's a huge battle during which Jocelyn, Luke and their allies help overthrow Valentine.

  • The United States did not overthrow Saddam to democratize the Middle East.

    Academic text (2008)
  • After 9/11, a U.S.-led international coalition joined forces with the Northern Alliance to overthrow the Taliban.

    Academic text (2012)
  • In 1848, several European nations witnessed revolutions that aimed to overthrow their monarchies.

Synonyms

to bring down
vsto overthrow
128 4.6

To make a leader or government lose power

focuses on removal as an act of taking power away, not just defeat
to oust
vsto overthrow
80 6.2

To remove someone from power, often suddenly or by force

is the broader concept of removing rulers or governments, often by force
to usurp
vsto overthrow
34 8.6

To take power or a position from someone without the right, often by force

refers to removing rulers or governments, not to seizing power oneself
to depose
vsto overthrow
31 7.4

To remove a leader from office, often by force

covers removal broadly, not only forcible personal ousting
to unseat
vsto overthrow
19 6.2

Remove someone from a position of power, often in politics

is about removing rulers or governments specifically, not all political positions
to overturn
vsto overthrow
12 6.3

Remove a leader or government from power, often by force

is the general removal of a ruler or government often by force
to dethrone
vsto overthrow
5 6.7

To remove a king or queen from power and their position

applies to removing any ruler or government not only monarchs
to revolutionize
vsto overthrow
1 7.3

Remove a government by force and put new leaders in charge

describes removal more generally, not only by revolutionary action
to decrown
vsto overthrow
9.7

To remove someone, especially a king or queen, from power

is the general act of removing rulers or governments, not only royalty

Antonyms

to install
  • Formal
69 3.9

To put someone into an official job at a ceremony

How Forceful

to overthrow
127 5.1
to topple
93 4.1
to depose
31 7.4
to oust
80 6.2
to remove
1.5

Surface Forms

overthrow infinitive
overthrowing present participle
overthrows third person singular
overthrew past
overthrown past participle

Morphology

overthrow = throw (semi-transparent) = over + throw

While 'over' and 'throw' are clear, the specific meaning of removing power is metaphorical.

Etymology

Overthrow comes from the simple parts over (meaning 'above' or 'completely') and throw (meaning 'to throw'), so it originally meant 'throw over' or push someone down. Imagine a ruler being thrown off a throne — that image helps explain why to overthrow a government is to remove its leaders, often by force.