topple

verb

top·​ple ˈtä-pəl How to pronounce topple (audio)
toppled; toppling ˈtä-p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce topple (audio)
Synonyms of topple

intransitive verb

: to fall from or as if from being top-heavy

transitive verb

1
: to cause to topple
2
a
: overthrow sense 2
topple a dictator
b
: defeat sense 1

Synonyms of topple

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Examples of topple in a Sentence

The strong winds toppled many trees. The earthquake toppled the buildings. The tree toppled into the river. The rebels tried to topple the dictator. The phone company has toppled its local competition.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
After Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the militant group once led by Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara, toppled the Assad regime at the end of 2024, regional trade began to trickle back in. — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 Adam had been working out at the gym when the man on the running machine next to him had toppled off it while watching a replay of the previous night’s Champions League highlights. — Helen Simpson, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 Everyone seemed pretty elated for coming out of a festival that hadn’t toppled the patriarchy, but had proven again that, in 2026, women rule music in virtually every qualifiable way. — Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 The settlement removes a risk that could have toppled the business. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for topple

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of top entry 3

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of topple was in 1590

Rhymes for topple

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Browse Nearby Words

top plate
topple
toppo
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Cite this Entry

“Topple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topple. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

topple

verb
top·​ple ˈtäp-əl How to pronounce topple (audio)
toppled; toppling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce topple (audio)
1
: to fall over from being too heavy at the top
2
: to push over
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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