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 next

as in defeat

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overthrow

2 of 2

verb

as in to topple

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to overwhelm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Verb

That is why, my friends, that is why the tech billionaires want to overthrow democracy. —

Peter Suciu, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 Context: Seditious conspiracy is defined as when two or more people conspire to overthrow, destroy, seize the property of or levy war against the U.S. government, or to prevent the execution of any American law. —

Axios, 21 Jan. 2025 In 1964, a military coup overthrew Brazil’s populist democracy, in which Rubens had served as a left-wing congressman. —

David Sims, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2025 Afterward, on the central library steps, Vulcanus Rex and his Krewe will overthrow the ice king with a dramatic fireworks show. —

Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for overthrow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overthrow

Noun

Following a rough 104-83 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the Charlotte Hornets announced LaMelo Ball will be re-evaluated in a week after spraining his ankle in Monday’s defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2025
Smelling defeat from Putin's myriad military, economic, and diplomatic failures, Trump does not see Putin as a worthy ally.

— Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025