Word
toppling
Phoneticstop·pling
US/ˈtɑpəɫɪŋ/
UK/tˈɒplɪŋ/
Definition
v. to fall over suddenly, or to make something fall over. You use it for trees, walls and statues, and also for governments losing power.
v. to lose balance and fall over, or to cause something to do so. Extended to the overthrow of a government, leader, or system.
Examples
“The old fence is toppling in the strong wind.”
“Protesters gathered in the square watching the crane remove the toppling statue after the storm.”
“The investigation traced the company's collapse to a series of toppling partnerships that began with a single broken contract.”
Examples
simple
“The old fence is toppling in the strong wind.”
contextual
“Protesters gathered in the square watching the crane remove the toppling statue after the storm.”
complex
“The investigation traced the company's collapse to a series of toppling partnerships that began with a single broken contract.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “toppling” in context.
Verb
01. topple dictatorship
“The uprising managed to topple the dictatorship after years of rule.”
verb + noun
02. topple government
“Mass protests helped topple the government in a few weeks.”
verb + noun
03. topple regime
“Rebel forces joined together to topple the regime.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. finally topple
“Protesters finally toppled the statue in the main square.”
adv + verb
05. nearly topple
“The old wall nearly toppled during the storm last night.”
adv + verb
06. suddenly topple
“The tall pile of boxes suddenly toppled onto the floor.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. topple from power
“The president was toppled from power after losing support.”
verb + prep + noun
08. topple off pedestal
“The vase toppled off its pedestal and smashed.”
verb + prep + noun
09. help topple the dictatorship
“Foreign support helped topple the dictatorship.”
10. nearly toppled the old tower
“The earthquake nearly toppled the old tower.”
11. threaten to topple the government
“Strikes across the country threaten to topple the government.”
12. topple a statue in protest
“Crowds gathered to topple a statue in protest.”
Usage
The verb is both transitive (to topple something) and intransitive (something topples).
Real-World Examples
“The toppling of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was a "violent" act, appeal court judges have ruled.” “Storm Eunice tore through the UK, toppling trees and destroying roofs.” “Romania's parliament toppled the government of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu on Wednesday, as expected, a senior ruling party official said.” Synonyms
Related words
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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