OVERTHROW Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'overthrow' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overthrow are conquer , defeat , overcome , reduce , subdue , and vanquish . While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power. // violently overthrew the old regime

Q: When might 'conquer' be a better fit than 'overthrow'?

While in some cases nearly identical to overthrow , conquer implies gaining mastery of. // Caesar conquered Gaul

Q: How are the words 'defeat' and 'vanquish' related as synonyms of 'overthrow'?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals. // the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

Q: Where would 'overcome' be a reasonable alternative to 'overthrow'?

The meanings of overcome and overthrow largely overlap; however, overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle. // overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reduce' instead of 'overthrow'?

Although the words reduce and overthrow have much in common, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender. // the city was reduced after a month-long siege

Q: When can 'subdue' be used instead of 'overthrow'?

The synonyms subdue and overthrow are sometimes interchangeable, but subdue implies a defeating and suppression. // subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

Q: When is 'vanquish' a more appropriate choice than 'overthrow'?

The words vanquish and overthrow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vanquish implies a complete overpowering. // vanquished the enemy and ended the war

overthrow 1 of 2

noun

Definition of overthrow

as in defeat

failure to win a contest the surprising overthrow of the world's top-ranked chess player

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overthrow

2 of 2

verb

as in to topple

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in to overwhelm

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb overthrow differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overthrow are conquer, defeat, overcome, reduce, subdue, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

When might conquer be a better fit than overthrow?

While in some cases nearly identical to overthrow, conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

How are the words defeat and vanquish related as synonyms of overthrow?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

Where would overcome be a reasonable alternative to overthrow?

The meanings of overcome and overthrow largely overlap; however, overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

When is it sensible to use reduce instead of overthrow?

Although the words reduce and overthrow have much in common, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

When can subdue be used instead of overthrow?

The synonyms subdue and overthrow are sometimes interchangeable, but subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When is vanquish a more appropriate choice than overthrow?

The words vanquish and overthrow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overthrow

Noun

January's was the deadliest, when security forces killed thousands to crush nationwide demonstrations that started over economic woes and then snowballed into calls for Khamenei's overthrow. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 Still, the timing of Saturday’s announcement suggests the protests — the biggest string of rallies since the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000 — have played a role. — Reuters, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

Verb

Many credit Latvala for saving the Republicans from oblivion by providing party leaders the data tools, expertise and technology needed to overthrow Democrats and launch a reign of dominance that continues today. — Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026 Hezbollah, along with Iran, intervened on the side of Assad during Syria’s 14-year civil war, while al-Sharaa was the leader of an insurgent group seeking to overthrow him. — ABC News, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for overthrow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overthrow

Noun

After Japan’s defeat in WWII, there was a deliberate effort to democratize the nation and defang its intelligence community.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
The quick, decisive defeat marked Rome’s final domination of the peninsula and solidified their influence over regional trade and military routes.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

Foreign oil companies and investors are moving into Venezuela seven months after the US toppled then-President Nicolás Maduro, betting the world’s largest crude reserves are finally open for business.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The foul weather sent trees toppling across the city, including on the Upper West Side in Manhattan and in Woodside, Queens, where a food truck was struck by a fallen tree, according to ABC.

— Theodore Parisienne, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of topple

Verb

That brightness will overwhelm many of the faint Delta Aquariid meteors, leaving only the brightest examples visible.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
This was often seen as a proxy for player skill, as more advanced players could better handle the cognitive rush of commanding dozens of units across multiple fronts, presumably leading to more effective play, eventually overwhelming the opponent.

— Nnamdi Iregbulem, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Definition of overwhelm

Noun

An autopsy later determined that Hedgepeth died after a severe beating to the head, according to NBC News.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Michael, who would later split from his father’s control, accused him of severe childhood emotional and physical abuse, including beatings with iron cords.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of beating

Verb

So far, five people have died after being buried in mudslides that overran two houses in the central region, while three others were wounded and two people have gone missing, said Pradeep Kodippili, the center's spokesperson.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
The northern part of the country is on fire, and the southern border is being overrun by migrants.

— Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of overrun

Noun

More than 2 million acres had burned, the center said – that’s twice the previous 10-year average for the period, and the highest loss in 14 years.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Skubal took the loss in the decisive Game 5 of the division series against Cleveland in 2024 and then got a no-decision in a 15-inning loss to Seattle in Game 5 of the division series last year.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of loss

Verb

That inverts the logic of 2021, when minting supply was the entire business.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Given this design, Cromar said, the meaning of the index may even be inverted from time to time, with a higher AQI corresponding to a lower risk of health effects.

— Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Definition of invert

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overthrowing

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“Overthrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overthrow. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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