topple

intransitive-verb
UK: /ˈtɒp.əl/
US: /ˈtɑː.pəl/

  1. To fall over; to lose balance and fall.

    1. The tower may topple if it isn't repaired soon.
    2. High winds threatened to topple the old oak tree during the storm.

  2. To cause something to fall over.

    1. The child tried to topple a stack of blocks.
    2. Demonstrators attempted to topple the statue of the controversial historical figure.

  3. To remove a leader or government from power.

    1. The rebels planned to topple the dictator.
    2. Economic sanctions can topple regimes, but at a significant human cost.

Synonyms

overthrow collapse fall unseat overturn
topple transitive-verb

  1. To cause to overturn.

    1. A strong push will topple the statue.
    2. They planned to topple the government with a surprise attack.

  2. To overthrow or displace (a leader or government).

    1. The coup attempt was aimed at toppling the president.
    2. Years of corruption led to the people toppling the ruling party.
topple noun

  1. The act of falling or being overthrown.

    1. The topple of the statue was caught on video.
    2. The unexpected topple of the government surprised everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "topple" in English means: To fall over; to lose balance and fall., To cause something to fall over., To remove a leader or government from power..

The phonetic transcription of "topple" is /ˈtɒp.əl/ in British English and /ˈtɑː.pəl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "topple": overthrow, collapse, fall, unseat, overturn.

Example usage of "topple": "The tower may topple if it isn't repaired soon.". More examples on the page.