Word
overthrow
Phoneticsover·throw
/ˈoʊvɝˌθɹoʊ/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
overthrow
Past
overthrew
Past participle
overthrown
Definitions
01to remove a government
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to remove a leader or a government from power, usually by using force.
v. 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.
“The citizens gathered in the square to overthrow the cruel dictator.”
“The military junta attempted to overthrow the democratically elected government, leading to months of civil unrest and international sanctions.”
02removal of a leader
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the act of removing a government or leader by force.
n. 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.
“The sudden overthrow of the king surprised the entire world.”
“Historians still debate whether the overthrow of the regime was a spontaneous popular movement or a carefully planned conspiracy by the elite.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“In November 1959, a Hutu uprising helped bring about the overthrow of Rwanda’s monarchy.” “The fighters say they want to overthrow the government in Addis Ababa.” “Residents of the main city express shock after soldiers tried to overthrow the president.” Etymology
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.
From over- + throw.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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