Overthrow

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /oÊŠ.vÉš.ˈθɹoÊŠ/

From - + throw.

Full definition of overthrow

Verb

1. (transitive, now rare) To throw down to the ground, to overturn.
• 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, John II:And he made a scourge of smale cordes, and drave them all out off the temple, bothe shepe and oxen, and powred doune the changers money, and overthrue their tables.
• Jeremy TaylorHis wife overthrew the table.
2. (transitive) To bring about the downfall of (a government, etc.), especially by force.I hate the current government, but not enough to want to overthrow them.
• DrydenWhen the walls of Thebes he overthrew.
• ShakespeareGloucester that seeks to overthrow religion.

Derived terms

• overthrowal

Noun

1. A removal, especially of a ruler or government, by force or threat of force.
• Orwell Animal Farm|1What then must we do? Why, work night and day, body and soul, for the overthrow of the human race!

Hypernyms

• (removal by force) downfall

Coordinate terms

• (removal by force) collapse

- + throw

Verb

1. (transitive, intransitive) To throw (something) so that it goes too far.

Noun

1. (sports) A throw that goes too far.He overthrew first base, for an error.
2. (cricket) A run scored by the batting side when a fielder throws the ball back to the infield, whence it continues to the opposite outfield.