What does "overthrow" mean?

1. (to remove a government) to remove a leader or a government from power, usually by using force. 2. (removal of a leader) the act of removing a government or leader by force.

overthrow

v. · n.

US //ˈoʊvɝˌθɹoʊ// over·throw

1 to remove a government (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to remove a leader or a government from power, usually by using force.

to remove a government or leader from power by force or through a popular uprising. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the authority being removed.

Example

The citizens gathered in the square to overthrow the cruel dictator.

Example

The military junta attempted to overthrow the democratically elected government, leading to months of civil unrest and international sanctions.
- topple
- oust
- unseat
- install
- establish
2 removal of a leader (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of removing a government or leader by force.

the act of removing a ruler or government from power, especially by force or threat. Countable or uncountable depending on the context of the event.

Example

The sudden overthrow of the king surprised the entire world.

Example

Historians still debate whether the overthrow of the regime was a spontaneous popular movement or a carefully planned conspiracy by the elite.
- restoration

Etymology 1

From Middle English overthrowen, equivalent to over- + throw. Compare Dutch overdraaien, German überdrehen, Old English oferweorpan (“to overthrow”). For the noun sense, compare Middle English overthrow, overthrowe (“destruction, downfall”), from the verb.

Etymology 2

From over- + throw.