overthrow
verb
over·throw
ˌō-vər-ˈthrō 
overthrew
ˌō-vər-ˈthrü
; overthrown
ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn
; overthrowing
; overthrown
ˌō-vər-ˈthrōn
; overthrowing
2
: to cause the downfall of : bring down, defeat
3
: to throw a ball over or past (something or someone, such as a base or a receiver)
Examples of overthrow in a Sentence
The quarterback overthrew his receiver.
Recent Examples on the Web
After overthrowing longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa pledged inclusion and vowed to protect all of Syria’s diverse communities, but Sunni extremist forces loyal to him have continued to violently confront religious minorities.
—
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
President Trump on Monday signed an executive order dismantling a series of sanctions on Syria, providing more relief to the new authorities in Damascus who overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar Assad late last year.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 30 June 2025
Earlier this week, police arrested several people accused of plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country, without explanation, for several people from Croatia and a theater director from Montenegro.
—Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt insisted the president was simply asking if the Iranian people might want a new government, not suggesting the U.S. would lead a fight to overthrow the Islamic republic.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overthrow
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Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
President Trump on Monday signed an executive order dismantling a series of sanctions on Syria, providing more relief to the new authorities in Damascus who overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar Assad late last year.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 30 June 2025
Earlier this week, police arrested several people accused of plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country, without explanation, for several people from Croatia and a theater director from Montenegro.
—Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt insisted the president was simply asking if the Iranian people might want a new government, not suggesting the U.S. would lead a fight to overthrow the Islamic republic.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overthrow
Cite this Entry
“Overthrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overthrow. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overthrow
verb
over·throw
-ˈthrō
1
: overturn sense 1, upset
lawn chairs overthrown by the gale
2
: defeat entry 1, destroy
a government overthrown by rebels
3
: to throw a ball over or past
overthrew second base
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