overthrow Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the termination of a ruler or institution (especially by force)
  2. noun the act of disturbing the mind or body
    upset; derangement.
    • his carelessness could have caused an ecological upset
    • she was unprepared for this sudden overthrow of their normal way of living
  3. verb cause the downfall of; of rulers
    subvert; bring down; overturn.
    • The Czar was overthrown
    • subvert the ruling class
  4. verb rule against
    override; overturn; overrule; reverse.
    • The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill

WordNet


O`ver*throw" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect Overthrew ; past participle Overthrown ; present participle & verbal noun Overthrowing
Definitions
  1. To throw over; to overturn; to upset; to turn upside down.
    His wife overthrew the table. Jer. Taylor.
  2. To cause to fall or to fail; to subvert; to defeat; to make a ruin of; to destroy.
    When the walls of Thebes he overthrew. Dryden.
    [Gloucester] that seeks to overthrow religion. Shak.
    Syn. -- To demolish; overturn; prostrate; destroy; ruin; subvert; overcome; conquer; defeat; discomfit; vanquish; beat; rout.
O"ver*throw` noun
Definitions
  1. The act of overthrowing; the state of being overthrow; ruin.
    Your sudden overthrow much rueth me. Spenser.
  2. (a) (Baseball) The act of throwing a ball too high, as over a player's head. (b) (Cricket) A faulty return of the ball by a fielder, so that striker makes an additional run.

Webster 1913