overthrow
verb
over·throw
ˌō-vər-ˈthrō 
overthrew
ˌō-vər-ˈthrü
; 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
In Venezuela, street protests can result in charges of treason or attempts to overthrow the government—offenses that can carry severe, even fatal, consequences.
—
Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
Believing radical change requires violence to overthrow the old order, the two women and their fellow comrades launch an armed attack on wealthy landowners in a stately villa.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Friday’s 119-81 Game 6 victory saw the Knicks deliver a complete takedown at Madison Square Garden to overthrow the defending champions.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Survivor: Marquesas An underrated season that saw the first totem pole shake-up: where people on the bottom got together to overthrow those on the top.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overthrow
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.
Cite this Entry
“Overthrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overthrow. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Kids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share