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o·ver·throw (ō′vər-thrō)
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tr.v. o·ver·threw (-thr), o·ver·thrown (-thrōn), o·ver·throw·ing, o·ver·throws
1. To bring about the downfall, destruction, or ending of, especially by force or concerted action: a plot to overthrow the government.
2. Sports To throw a ball or other object over and beyond (an intended target): The infielder overthrew first base.
3. To throw or push over; overturn: overthrew the table.
n. (ōvər-thrō′)
1. An instance of overthrowing, especially one that results in downfall or destruction.
2. Sports The throwing of a ball over and beyond a target, especially in baseball.
Synonyms: overthrow, overturn, subvert, topple, upset
These verbs mean to cause the downfall, destruction, abolition, or undoing of: overthrow an empire; overturn existing institutions; subverting civil order; toppled the government; upset all our plans.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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